[Seroprevalence of HIV infection in sexually abused children in Cameroon].

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in sexually abused children and again alert public official to the urgent need of a national committee on combating child sexual exploitation in Cameroon. This study was conducted at the New Bell District Hospital and Laquintine Hospital in Douala from February 1, 1998 to March 31, 2000. A total of 76 sexually abused children with a mean age of 11.6 years (range, 3-15) were included. There were 64 girls (84.2%) and 12 boys (15.8%). Among the 71 victims tested, 24 (37.5%) became seropositive as a result of sexual abuse with penetration. Abuse involved rape in 84.2% of cases and molestation in 15.8%. Abuse occurred within the family in 13.1% of cases and outside the family in 86.9%. Slightly more than 50% of the children studied did not attend school and 17.1% had menial jobs. This study demonstrates that sexual abuse is a major risk for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. These findings also underline the need to adopt a national program to protect children from sexual abuse and to implement a policy for post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV.