Pattern and medical care of child victims of sexual abuse in Ekiti, south-western Nigeria
Olatunya, O.S.; Akintayo, A.A.; Olofinbiyi, B.; Isinkaye, A.O.; Ogundare, E.O.; Akinboboye, O.
Paediatrics and International Child Health 33(4): 247-252
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 2046-9055 PMID: 24196700 DOI: 10.1179/2046905513y.0000000089Document Number: 626380
Child sexual assault (CSA) is a global health problem which affects many children and is often under-reported in developing countries. Data on CSA are few in these countries. This study aimed to review the pattern and medical care of victims of CSA in a tertiary hospital over a 39-month period. This is a retrospective, descriptive study. Case files of 28 cases of CSA were retrieved from those of 6535 patients seen in the paediatric out-patient department of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital between 1 January 2010 and 31 March 2013. Victims of CSA accounted for 0.43% of new patients seen during the period under review with a yearly increase over that time. Victims were all female with a median age of 11.5 years and the age range was 4-17. They all had genito-urinary findings and 3.6% had an anal tear. The assailants were all male, mostly adults. A school-teacher and school-friends were the perpetrators in 3.6% and 10.8% of cases, respectively. All were screened for HIV, but only 60.7% were screened for hepatitis B and C. Only 60.7% received HIV post-exposure prophylaxis and none was given prophylaxis against viral hepatitis B and C. Of those eligible for post-exposure emergency contraception, only 43.8% received it. Antibiotics and analgesics were routinely given in 89.3% cases. Only one of the patients attended for follow-up. None had repeat serological screening tests. The police were involved in 60.7% of cases but there was no prosecution. Perpetrators of CSA are protean and, in the study area, there are gross inadequacies in the care provided for victims. Standard treatment protocols and additional training for health-care providers involved in the management of CSA victims are required.