Blood-borne infections and pregnancies among women attending a sexual violence assistance center in Brazil: A 10-year retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STI) and pregnancy can be consequences of sexual violence. In Brazil, around 50% of women victims of sexual violence do not undergo STI prophylaxis or emergency contraception. Objectives To analyze socio-demographic and epidemiological profile, frequency of procedures performed, frequency of blood-borne infections (BBI), pregnancy, and legal abortion in women assisted by a sexual violence assistance center. Patients and methods This 10-year retrospective cohort study (2010–2019) describes the socio-demographic and epidemiological profile and frequencies of clinical procedures, BBI, pregnancies, and legal abortions in 915 women assisted in a sexual violence assistance center in Brazil. We extracted data from the medical records and used descriptive statistics and chi-square and logistic regression. Results A total of 93.3% (842/915) were residents in the Metropolitan Area of the capital, 80,83% (733/915) were brown-skinned or white, 42.4% (388/915) were adolescents (12–17 years old), 80.4% (736/915) were single, most had no children, average of 1.8 (±1.0 DP) children. About one-third (313/915) had not had previous sexual intercourse, 1.6% (10/653) were pregnant. Rape predominated with 92.0% (841/915), of which 51.5% (471/915) involved a known or related aggressor, mostly an acquaintance, followed by a stepfather or father. Recurrent cases were 24.0% (227/915).