CDC and Kaiser Permanente Survey Shows Large Numbers of Children Are Sexually Abused; As Adults, They May Experience Marriage and Alcohol Problems.

PASADENA, Calif. -- A National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Kaiser Permanente survey of 17,337 adult health plan members has shown that twenty-five percent of women and sixteen percent of men were sexually abused as children. Sexually abused children are 40 to 50 percent more likely to report current problems with their marriage and are 40 percent more likely to marry an alcoholic.

"Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) occurs on a worldwide basis, and although most studies on the long-term consequences of CSA have focused on women, sexual abuse of both boys and girls is prevalent," said Vincent J Felitti, MD, of the Kaiser Permanente, San Diego Medical Center. "An interesting finding of the article is that a significant number of boys were molested by women. All of this is unfortunately well concealed by time, shame, secrecy, and a social taboo against discussing these matters that have such important long-term consequences for health and well-being."

The study, which was published in the June American Journal of Preventive Medicine, was conducted from 1995 to 1997 on 17,337 HMO members who completed a survey about childhood abuse and possible family problems. The survey included questions about other health-related issues, including the relationship between the frequency and severity of CSA. The survey asked about long-term health and social problems, including substance use and abuse, mental illness, and current marriage and familial problems.

"Our survey strongly shows that girls and boys are very vulnerable to childhood sexual abuse and have a high likelihood of suffering numerous behavioral, mental, and social problems as adults," said Felitti. "This clearly shows we need to identify and treat all adults affected by CSA."

Study participants completed a survey that detailed the abuse and/or household dysfunction they experienced during childhood. Then, the relationship was studied between the severity of CSA (whether or not intercourse occurred) and long-term health and social problems. Current marital and family problems were also recorded according to the victim's gender.

"We feel this comparison of the long-term effects of CSA by gender of the victim will provide valuable perspective and further support the need for research, prevention activities, and treatment of survivors," said Felitti.

In addition to Felitti, the study's other authors are Shanta R. Dube, MPH; Robert F. Anda, MD, MS; David W. Brown, MSPH, MS; Wayne H. Giles, MD, MS; and Maxia Dong, MD, PhD, all of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Charles L Whitfield MD, who practices addiction and trauma medicine in Atlanta.

Kaiser Permanente (www.kaiserpermanente.org) is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.1 million members in Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 47,530 technical, administrative, and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 5,200 physicians representing all specialties.