Health Consequences of Sexual based Violence among Survivors in Selected Hospitals in Kenya

Sexual based violence (SBV) is a serious public health problem with profound impact on physical, social and mental health, both immediately and many years after the assault. While women and girls are the most visible survivors of sexual violence, they are far from being the only ones who suffer it. Children of both sexes constitute a large proportion of abused survivors, and adult men and the handicapped are minority groups who are also affected but often neglected in research and interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate health consequences, responses and prevention strategies of SBV among survivors in Coast Provincial General Hospital, Nairobi Women Hospital and Nyanza Provincial General Hospital. This was a cross-sectional study where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect data. Two hundred and eighty survivors were interviewed, focus group discussions held and observation done. Data were analysed using predictive analytics software (PASW) version 17 and summarized using frequency tables and bar charts. Chi- square test was used to determine relationships between variables. The study revealed that, survivors (77%) suffered health consequences as a result sexual based violence. The study revealed that, 67% of those who suffered health consequences had psychological trauma, 35% physical injuries, 27% gynaecological disorders, 18% STIs, 15% HIV, 10% gastrointestinal disorders and 8% unwanted pregnancies. Collaborative model encompassing individual level, relationships, community level, and societal level supported by working legal institutions, committed political systems and active healthcare systems can be used to deal with SBV and associated health consequences.