Abstract

To evaluate the assistance provided to women victims of sexual violence and their participation in the follow-up treatment after the traumatic event, presenting a sociodemographic profile, gynecological background, and circumstances of the event, and reporting the results, acceptance, and side effects of prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. A retrospective cohort study comprising the period between 2007 and 2016. All women receiving medical care and clinical follow-up after a severe episode of sexual violence were included. Records of domestic violence, male victims, children, and adolescents who reported consensual sexual activity were excluded. The present study included descriptive statistics as frequencies and percentages. A total of 867 medical records were reviewed and 444 cases of sexual violence were included. The age of the victims ranged from 10 to 77 years old, most of them self-declared white, with between 4 and 8 years of education, and denying having a sexual partner. Sexual violence occurred predominantly at night, on public thoroughfare, being committed by an unknown offender. Most victims were assisted at the referral service center within 72 hours after the violence, enabling the recommended prophylaxis. There was high acceptance of antiretroviral therapy (ART), although half of the users reported side effects. Seroconversion to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or to hepatitis B virus (HBV) was not detected in women undergoing prophylaxis. In the present cohort, the profile of victims of sexual violence was low-educated, young, white women. The traumatic event occurred predominantly at night, on public thoroughfare, being committed by an unknown offender. Assistance within the first 72 hours after sexual violence enables the healthcare center to provide prophylactic interventions against STIs and unwanted pregnancies.

Highlights

  • According to the World Health Organization (WHO),[1] sexual violence is a serious public health problem, being defined as any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, using mental or physical coercion or aggression, in any setting, including but not limited to the household and work environments

  • ►Table 1 shows the profile of the 444 victims of sexual violence

  • The present study showed that 80% of the victims of sexual violence arrived at the service for assistance within the first 72 hours, and more than half arrived within 24 hours after the traumatic event, optimizing the prescription of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antiretroviral therapy (ART) and emergency contraception

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Summary

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),[1] sexual violence is a serious public health problem, being defined as any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, using mental or physical coercion or aggression, in any setting, including but not limited to the household and work environments. The elaboration of technical norms and clinical protocols for the reception, care, and notification of violence is based on the international guidelines of the WHO.[11,12] In Brazil, beginning in the 1980s, the Ministry of Health standardized assistance for people who suffered sexual violence. These guidelines were updated over the years, and the last ones were published in 201413 and 2015,14 having been elaborated in partnership with the Health Departments of the federation units, as well as with scientific societies and social movements

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