Delivering post-rape care services: Kenya's experience in developing integrated services

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Global Health
• Sexual Violence Research

Background:

• Post-rape care models from resource-rich countries are often unsuitable for resource-limited settings.
• Kenya faces high rates of sexual violence and HIV, with inadequate post-rape care services and a lack of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis in 2003.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and implement a sustainable health sector service delivery model for sexual violence survivors in Kenya.
• To integrate essential post-rape care services within existing governmental health structures.

Main Methods:

• Developed a standard of care and systems algorithm for post-rape care.
• Provided targeted, values-based training for clinicians, lab personnel, and trauma counselors.
• Established service delivery through casualty departments and voluntary HIV counseling and testing sites.

Main Results:

• A total of 784 survivors received care between 2004-2007, with increasing numbers annually.
• Nearly half (43%) of survivors were children under 15.
• The average cost per survivor was US$27.

Conclusions:

• Multisectoral teams in Kenya successfully implemented post-rape care, including HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, STI, and pregnancy prevention.
• Lessons learned were instrumental in shaping national policy and scaling up services.
• The model demonstrated the feasibility of integrating comprehensive care within existing health systems.