Characteristics, medical management and outcomes of survivors of sexual gender-based violence, Nairobi, Kenya.

Abstract

Médecins Sans Frontières Clinic for sexual gender-based violence (SGBV), Nairobi, Kenya. Among survivors of SGBV in 2011, to describe demographic characteristics and episodes of sexual violence, medical management, pregnancy and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) related outcomes. Retrospective review of clinical records and SGBV register. Survivors attending the clinic increased from seven in 2007 to 866 in 2011. Of the 866 survivors included, 92% were female, 34% were children and 54% knew the aggressor; 73% of the assaults occurred inside a home and most commonly in the evening or at night. Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was given to 536 (94%), prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections to 731 (96%) and emergency contraception to 358 (83%) eligible patients. Hepatitis B and tetanus toxoid vaccinations were given to 774 survivors, but respectively only 46% and 14% received a second injection. Eight (4.5%) of 174 women who underwent urine pregnancy testing were positive at 1 month. Of 851 survivors HIV-tested at baseline, 96 (11%) were HIV-positive. None of the 220 (29%) HIV-negative individuals who returned for repeat HIV testing after 3 months was positive. Acceptable, good quality SGBV medical care can be provided in large cities of sub-Saharan Africa, although further work is needed to improve follow-up interventions.