Women's post-rape experiences with Guatemalan health services

Development and psychometric evaluation of the need assessment tool for women survivors of rape: Protocol for a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

Rape can lead to various physical and psychological consequences. Thus, survivors should receive immediate interventions and need-based care. The present study aims to design and psychometric evaluation of needs in women survivors of rape.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This mixed methods study is conducted using a sequential exploratory approach. In the first phase, the participants (women survivors of rape and healthcare providers) are selected through purposive sampling in Isfahan. Data are collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and field notes and are analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis. The draft of the questionnaire is prepared based on the findings of the qualitative phase and literature review. Then, the face validity, content validity, and reliability of the questionnaire are assessed. Construct validity is assessed using the exploratory factor analysis through a descriptive cross-sectional study on women survivors of rape in the quantitative phase. Using a convenience sampling method, the data are collected in the research environment and analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Cronbach's alpha coefficient is used to assess the internal correlation of the questionnaire.

CONCLUSION

The valid and reliable questionnaire that is developed in this study can be used by planners to provide services and care according to the needs of women survivors of rape.

Nursing care provided at medical institutions to female victims immediately after a sexual assault incident: A qualitative descriptive study

AIM

To clarify the content of nursing care provided to sexually assaulted females when they present at a medical institution immediately after the assault.

DESIGN

Qualitative descriptive study.

METHODS

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 female nurses and midwives affiliated with medical institutions collaborating with the one-stop Support Center for sexual violence victims. Data were analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS

The study identified five forms of nursing care: providing safety and reassurance, supporting smooth physical exams, building trusting relationships, supporting the recovery of emotional/physical health and dignity, and ensuring continuity of support. There were three types of institutional systems in victim care: (a) male doctors are sometimes involved in care, (b) female doctors provide care with nursing supervisors, and (c) female doctors take the lead to provide care. Nursing care content extracted in this study was influenced by the structure of the medical institution with which the nurses were affiliated.

A scoping review of how exposure to urban violence impacts youth access to sexual, reproductive and trauma health care in LMICs

Violence in the community can impact access to health care. This scoping review examines the impact of urban violence upon youth (aged 15-24) access to sexual and reproductive health and trauma care in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). We searched key electronic health and other databases for primary peer-reviewed studies from 2010 through June 2020. Thirty five of 6712 studies extracted met criteria for inclusion. They were diverse in terms of study objective and design but clear themes emerged. First, youth experience the environment and interpersonal relationships to be violent which impacts their access to health care. Second, sexual assault care is often inadequate, and stigma and abuse are sometimes reported in treatment settings. Third is the low rate of health seeking among youth living in a violent environment. Fourth is the paucity of literature focusing on interventions to address these issues. The scoping review suggests urban violence is a structural and systemic issue that, particularly in low-income areas in LMICs, contributes to framing the conditions for accessing health care. There is a gap in evidence about interventions that will support youth to access good quality health care in complex scenarios where violence is endemic.

Response to sexual assault in Bogotá, Colombia: A qualitative evaluation of health providers' readiness and role in policy implementation

Colombia has an extensive policy framework to address violence against women. In this qualitative study the authors address the health system and policy response to sexual violence in Bogotá. Interviews were conducted with doctors, nurses, and social workers (n = 46) in emergency departments at public hospitals in Bogotá in 2015, and were analyzed for thematic content. Key findings were compared with district and national policies and 2013 WHO clinical and policy guidelines. Most providers exhibited sensitivity towards victims, but reported inadequate capacity building, undermining policy implementation. Our participants' eagerness to provide quality care suggests that health system strengthening may be timely and effective.