Emergency care for women following sexual assault: characteristics of women and six-month post-aggression follow-up
Oshikata, C.Tadayuki.; Bedone, Aísio.José.; Faúndes, A.
Cadernos de Saude Publica 21(1): 192-199
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0102-311X PMID: 15692652 DOI: 10.1590/s0102-311x2005000100021Document Number: 241756
This prospective study included 166 sexually abused women (>=12 years of age) treated from October 1999 to February 2002 at a university hospital in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The women were followed-up six months after the sexual aggression. Half of the women were aged <20 years, two were illiterate, 70.0% were unmarried, 20.0% used contraceptives, and 80.0% received treatment within the first 24 hours post-aggression. Nearly 80.0% of the victims did not know their aggressors, and 95.0% of the cases involved vaginal penetration. Emergency contraception was administered to 76.0%, antibiotics to 98.0%, hepatitis B immunoglobulin to 95.0%, and HIV antiretroviral prophylaxis to 90.0%. The first follow-up consultation (at 14 days) was attended by 137 women, whereas 37.0% dropped out before the 45-day visit, and only 29.0% complied with the six-month follow-up. During follow-up, hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus were identified in 2.6%, pelvic inflammatory disease and Trichomonas vaginalis in 2.1%, and syphilis in 1.3%. Three pregnancies were observed among 127 women who received emergency contraception (2.6%). No cases of HIV seroconversion were observed. Emergency care for victims of sexual assault is effective in reducing unwanted pregnancies and infections.