Contagion Live.While there is a smattering of data on sexual violence and HIV, there hasn’t been research investigating a connection between such abuse and HIV testing and prevention.Researchers used data from a National Institute of Health-funded trial of an HIV self-testing intervention of young Black and African-American men who have sex with men.
Over 370 men participated in the study, none of which were living with HIV. Researchers asked if any of the men could recall any experiences of sexual violence.They found that almost one-third had experienced forced or pressured first sexual experiences, while two-thirds reported some sexual experience as a minor with a partner five years older or more that was forced or coerced.