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Abstract


ABSTRACT
Introduction. Sexual assault is a global health and legal challenge. Nowadays it does not only affect women and girls, but also men and boys of all ages with adverse physical and psycho-social consequences in the lives of the survivors. The aim of the study was to describe the circumstances surrounding occurrence of rape among survivors received in three referral hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Materials and Methods. This was a prospective descriptive study carried out over a period of 8 months among participants of all age groups visiting three 3 referral hospitals in Yaoundé. A questionnaire was used to collect participant’s data from medical records, and data collected was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results. During the study period, 127 cases of rape were recorded. The socio-demographic profile of survivors was mainly female (99.2%), with the mostly represented age ranged from 10 to 15 years (25.2%). Students (61.4%) were the most represented among survivors of sexual assault. Sexual assault usually occurred in the day (41%), at the victim’s or rapist’s home (39.4%) with verbal threats (27%) as the main constraint and the assaulter usually unknown (51.2%). Vaginal penetration was common in most cases (78%). Conclusion. Rape remains a prominent fact in our society, with children mainly affected. Understanding the circumstances that lead to the occurrence of rape is a step in prevention. Preventing rape involves raising public awareness.
RÉSUMÉ
Introduction. Les agressions sexuelles et le viol en particulier, représentent un problème medico-légal majeur. Leurs conséquences tant physique que psychosociale sont désastreuses. La prévention constitue un véritable challenge. Notre travaaill avait pour objectif de décrire les circonstances dans lesquelles sont survenues les agressions sexuelles chez les survivants pris en charge dans trois hôpitaux de référence de la ville de Yaoundé au Cameroun. Matériels et Méthodes. Une étude prospective et descriptive a été conduite pendant une période de huit mois dans trois hôpitaux de référence à Yaoundé. Un questionnaire a été utilisé pour collecter les données à partir des dossiers de patients admis pour agression sexuelle avec pénétration du vagin ou de l’anus (viol). les données obtenues ont été analysées à l’aide du logiciel SPSS version 23.0. Résultats. Pendant la période de l’étude, 127 cas de viol ont été reçus. Les femmes étaient les principales victimes (99,2%). La tranche d’âge la plus représentée était celle de 10 à 15 ans (25,2%). Les élèves représentaient 61,4% des survivants. Les agressions sexuelles survenaient principalement de jour (41%), au domicile du survivant ou de son agresseur (39,4%). Ces agressions étaient perpétrées le plus souvent en usant de menaces verbales (27%). L’agresseur était généralement connu de la victime (51,2%). La pénétration vaginale était la plus employée par les agresseurs (78%). Conclusion. Les enfants sont les principales victimes de viol. Comprendre les circonstances entourant les agressions sexuelles constitue une étape importante dans la mise en place de moyens de prévention.

Keywords

Sexual assault Rape Survivor Circumstances

Article Details

How to Cite
Mboua, V. B., Nseme, G. E., Metogo, A. N., Nsahlai, C., Meguieze, C., Fouedjio, J., Ekese, J. L., & Mbu, R. E. (2021). Circumstances Surrounding the Occurrence of Rape among Survivors in Three Referral Hospitals in Yaoundé, Cameroon. HEALTH SCIENCES AND DISEASE, 22(7). https://doi.org/10.5281/hsd.v22i7.2848

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