Prevalence of Recent Examination Positivity Rate among Female Sexual Assault Cases Reported at a District Headquarter Hospital of Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine prevalence of recent examination positivity rate among female sexual assault cases reported at a district headquarter hospital of Pakistan

Methodology: This cross sectional observational study was conducted in Department of Accident and Emergency, District Headquarter Hospital, Abbottabad, Pakistan from July 2018 to Dec 2018, wherein data for the year 2018 from January to December was analyzed and reported. After taking permission from hospital administration, and ensuring confidentiality of the victimsthe data was extracted and recorded on a pre-designed performa. SPSS v.23.0 was used to analyze the data; descriptive and analytical statistics were applied where needed.

Results: The mean age of the sample (n=103) was 21.84+1.71years. In the examination, about 35 (33.98%) were positive for sexual assault in their examination. The most prevalent age group among the participants was 10-19 years with 39 (37.86%) victims. Most of the cases 56 (54.37%) reported were after the span of 72 hours. In about 53 (51.5%) of the cases the assailant was known to the victim. As per changes cloth setting 78 (75.73%) presented with a changed dress. As per injuries, 89 (86.41%) presented with healed tear, while 9 (8.74%) had fresh tear. Labia & Vagina showed bruise in 8 (7.77%)&9 (8.74%) of cases.

Conclusion:The results conclude that only 1/3 of the cases presented for sexual assault examination shows evidence of recent examination positivity. Young females, presenting after 72 hours and known to assailant were more common victims among the sexual assault cases reported.