HIV infection among victims of sexual assault using condoms and other contraceptive methods: a comparative study

Abstract

The aim was to study the incidence of HIV among victims of sexual assault who have been using condoms and other contraceptive methods. Retrospective review of cases who presented to the Sinawe Centre following sexual assault was carried out. There were 157 sexually active cases between 17 and 49 years of age in the study group. The mean age of the victims was 22.7 years. All had practised some form of contraception. One had a tubal ligation, 65 (41.8%) had used condoms, 22 (13.9%) oral contraceptives (OC), 55 (35.4%) injectables, and 12 (7.6%) both barrier method and hormonal. The highest number (28 -17.7%) of HIV positive cases were in the age group of 17 to 26 years. A total of 42 (27%) were HIV positive of whom 26 (16.6%) had only used condoms, ten (6.4%) had used OCs and injectables, and six (3.8%) used both hormonal and barrier methods. In conclusion, HIV prevalence is commoner among condom users.