Experience of medical doctors in Imo state, Nigeria on the Pattern of presentation and management of alleged rape

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rape is one of the most dehumanizing crimes against women and females of all age groups are at risk. Rape is defined as forced vaginal penetration of a woman by a male sexual assailant. It is a gender specific term unlike sexual assault.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the experience of medical doctors in Imo-State Nigeria on the pattern of presentation and management of alleged rape cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving a cohort of medical doctors. The study was carried out between January and September, 2013 in Owerri, Imo State. A total of 150 pre-tested questionnaires were distributed. Information sought included sociodemographic data, cite of rape incidence, time interval between rape incidence and reporting to health facility, involvement of the police and appropriate rape management strategy. One hundred and five well completed questionnaires were analyzed using Microsoft excel.

RESULT: Patient within the age range of 21-30years had the highest prevalence of alleged rape cases (32.2%). This was followed by respondents within the age range of 10-20years (31.4%). Children less than 10years old constituted 26.2% of the cases. The commonest venue was in the assailants' residence (41.9%). No incident of spousal rape was observed. About 62.1% of the cases were poorly managed. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) were the commonest complication recorded amongst the victims. Majority of the alleged rape cases (68.8%) were neither reported to the police nor referred to the forensic pathologists.

CONCLUSION: Appropriate referrals of rape cases to the forensic pathologists and the police are key factors in the management of alleged cases of rape.

KEY WORDS: Experience, Management, Presentation , Rape, Imo State