- A secondary analysis of existing data collected from personal interviews with 611 women living in low-income neighborhoods in Baltimore City
- A follow-up to the secondary analysis that seeks to understand community factors impacting young urban youth’s perceptions and experiences of violence
Results of the first project have been submitted as an abstract for the International AIDS Conference in July 2003 (Yonas M, McDonnell K, Denison J, Burke J, O’Campo P, Gielen AC. HIV-positive and HIV-negative women’s early life experiences of crime, drug use and pregnancy: Implications for intervention).
Results
HIV positive women were more likely to have been arrested and used cocaine or heroine before age 18, (29% vs. 16%, p < .05) and (29% vs. 22%, p= .05), respectively. Adolescent pregnancy rates in both groups were 44%. HIV positive women were more likely to rate their child family environment as negative (54% vs. 46%, p<. 05), although rates of child abuse were 36% in both groups. Preliminary multiple logistic regressions found that adolescent crime was significantly associated with maternal drinking, child family environment, and HIV status. For adolescent drug use, maternal drug use and child family environment were significant. For adolescent pregnancy, maternal drug use and a history of child abuse were significant. Women’s risk for adult abuse was significantly associated with adolescent drug use and pregnancy, although women who were younger and had social support were at lower risk.
Conclusions
Poor childhood environment and adolescent delinquent behavior are significantly associated with HIV positive status. These results strengthen the need and support for both primary and secondary level intervention.
