Sexual abuse, violence and HIV risk among adolescents in South Africa

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate sexual abuse, violence and HIV risk among a sample of South African adolescents. The sample included 400 male and 400 female 16 or 17 year-olds; 400 were from rural and 400 from urban areas, and almost all from African descent. Participants were chosen by multi-stage cluster and quota sampling. Results indicate high rates of sexual and physical violence, 17% of the girls reported having been raped, and 26.3% reported to have experienced sexual and/or physical violence. Predictors for having experienced physical and/or sexual violence among girls and boys included socio-economic variables, HIV risk behaviour and substance use. The results of this study have important implications for understanding and preventing adolescent sexual assault, physical violence and HIV risk in South Africa.