Sexual abuse predictive of high HIV risk behavior.

Childhood sexual abuse appears to be directly related to later sexual behav ior that is high risk for HIV infection, according to a report from the University of Alabama Cen ter for AIDS Research.

"One consequence of childhood sexual abuse that is receiving increased atte ntion is its association with HIV infection," Mark A. Lodico and colleagues wrote in the Augu st 1994 issue of Clinical Pediatrics. "Direct transmission of HIV by the perpetrator has been demonstrated in a small number of cases.

"Aside from direct transmission, it has been suggested that childhood sexua l abuse also increases HIV-related risk behaviors, thereby increasing the likelihood of HIV i nfection."

In a study reported by C.T. Allers et al. in 1991, 65 …