Demographics and Care-Seeking Behaviors of Sexual Violence Survivors in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Demographics and Care-Seeking Behaviors of Sexual Violence Survivors in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
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DOI：
10.1001/dmp.2012.66
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发表时间：
2012-12-01
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
VanRooyen, Michael J.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Bartels, Susan A.;Scott, Jennifer A.;VanRooyen, Michael J.
目标：刚果民主共和国(刚果民主共和国)目前冲突最显著的特点之一是使用性暴力。尽管这些罪行残暴，但在刚果民主共和国东部，受性暴力影响的妇女的经历仍然很不典型。本研究旨在(1)提供到盘子医院就诊的性暴力幸存者的详细人口学资料；(2)考察人口统计学因素对性暴力模式的影响；(3)描述性暴力幸存者的求医行为。方法：通过对2004-2008年间向磐子医院就诊的性暴力幸存者进行的一项基于回顾性登记的研究，描述南基伍省性暴力幸存者的人口学特征和求医行为。幸存者的平均年龄为35岁。大多数妇女(53%)已婚，认同巴什部落(65%)，并以农业为生计(74%)。从性侵犯到寻求治疗的平均时间间隔为10.4个月。找出了5个原因解释了长期延误求医的原因：等待身体症状发展或恶化才求医，缺乏获得医疗服务的手段，担心家人会发现性侵犯，性暴力相关的耻辱，以及被长期绑架为性奴隶。结论：许多性侵幸存者就医时间非常延迟。要促进及时获得医疗保健，最好的办法可能是减少耻辱，教育妇女了解早期医疗护理的好处，即使在没有受伤或症状的情况下也是如此。(灾难医学公共卫生准备。2012；6：393-401)
Objectives: One of the most striking features of the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the use of sexual violence. In spite of the brutality of these crimes, the experiences of women affected by sexual violence in Eastern DRC remain poorly characterized. This analysis aimed to (1) provide detailed demographics of sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital; (2) examine how demographic factors might impact patterns of sexual violence; and (3) describe care-seeking behavior among sexual violence survivors.Methods: The demographics and care-seeking behavior of sexual violence survivors in South Kivu Province were described from a retrospective registry-based study of sexual violence survivors presenting to Panzi Hospital (2004-2008).Results: A total of 4311 records were reviewed. The mean age of survivors was 35 years. Most women (53%) were married, self-identified with the Bashi tribe (65%), and reported agriculture as their livelihood (74%). The mean time delay between sexual assault and seeking care was 10.4 months. Five reasons were identified to help explain the lengthy delays to seeking care: waiting for physical symptoms to develop or worsen before seeking medical attention, lack of means to access medical care, concerns that family would find out about the sexual assault, stigma surrounding sexual violence, and being abducted into sexual slavery for prolonged periods of time.Conclusions: Many sexual assault survivors have very delayed presentations to medical attention. Promoting timely access of medical care may best be facilitated by reducing stigma and by educating women about the benefits of early medical care, even in the absence of injuries or symptoms. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012; 6:393-401)