文章基本信息

标题：Care-Seeking Behavior by Survivors of Sexual Assault in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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作者：Sara E. Casey ; Meghan C. Gallagher ; Babou Rukengeza Makanda 等
期刊名称：American journal of public health
印刷版ISSN：0090-0036
出版年度：2011
卷号：101
期号：6
页码：1054-1055
DOI：10.2105/AJPH.2010.300045
语种：English
出版社：American Public Health Association
摘要：In February 2008, trained female interviewers collected data on sexual violence and use of medical services following sexual assault from 607 women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Exposure to sexual violence during the DRC's civil war was reported by 17.8% of the women; 4.8% of the women reported exposure to sexual violence after the war. Few sexual-assault survivors accessed timely medical care. Facility assessments showed that this care was rarely available. Clinical care for sexual-assault survivors must be integrated into primary health care for DRC women. Evidence suggests that gender-based violence, especially sexual violence, increases during times of conflict.^{1 – 3} Sexual violence in conflict can result from breakdowns in normal community organization and be used to systematically weaken populations, accelerate ethnic cleansing, and stake claims to particular territories and peoples.¹ Since 1996, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been plagued by war, characterized by extreme violence, population displacement, and the collapse of already weak infrastructures.^{4 , 5} Sexual violence continues to be used as a tactic of war in the DRC, and such violence is worsening in terms of severity and number.⁶ A range of negative health outcomes are associated with gender-based violence against women, including physical injuries, traumatic fistulas, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancies, and psychological trauma.^{7 , 8} It is estimated that fewer than half of Congolese women who experience sexual violence are able to access health centers,⁹ and even fewer do so in a timely manner. Lack of access to and awareness of available services were identified as the main barriers to Congolese women receiving timely care.¹⁰