Should we offer antibiotic prophylaxis post sexual assault?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Forensic Medicine

Background:

• Sexual assault survivors face risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Antibiotic prophylaxis is a potential intervention to mitigate these risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the acceptability of antibiotic prophylaxis post-sexual assault.
• To assess follow-up attendance rates among survivors.
• To determine the prevalence of STIs in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of case notes for female survivors of sexual assault (n=25) attending a specialist clinic.
• Screening for STIs including bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• Analysis of antibiotic prophylaxis acceptance and follow-up attendance at two weeks and three months.

Main Results:

• 88% of women accepted antibiotic prophylaxis.
• Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 32%, and Chlamydia trachomatis was 8%.
• Follow-up attendance was 57% at two weeks and 30% at three months, indicating low rates.

Conclusions:

• Antibiotic prophylaxis is acceptable to women post-sexual assault.
• Low follow-up rates highlight challenges in post-assault care.
• Findings support the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, warranting further research on cost-benefit and STI prevalence.