Association Between Sexual Violence and Reported Anorectal Symptoms Among Adults: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Public health
• Trauma studies

Background:

• Anorectal symptoms and sexual violence (SV) are frequently reported together.
• The precise relationship and prevalence of this association remain poorly understood.
• Adult survivors of sexual violence may experience various anorectal issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the prevalence and severity of anorectal symptoms in adult sexual violence survivors.
• To assess the association between sexual violence and anorectal symptoms across both sexes.
• To identify gaps in current research regarding this association.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines across CINAHL, Embase, and MEDLINE/PubMed.
• Inclusion of quantitative observational studies (cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, case series) in English and French.
• Quality assessment of included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Main Results:

• Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria, mostly cross-sectional (12/13) and conducted in medical settings.
• Sexual violence prevalence ranged from 4.1% to 62% among individuals with anorectal disorders or among survivors.
• Constipation and fecal incontinence were the most studied anorectal symptoms; assessment methods lacked standardization.

Conclusions:

• A significant association exists between sexual violence and anorectal symptoms, though prevalence varies widely.
• Current research lacks standardized assessments for both sexual violence and anorectal disorders.
• Further research with standardized methodologies is crucial for improving trauma-informed care for survivors.