The profile of children and adolescents aged below 19 years presenting with sexual abuse in Kenyatta national hospital
Abstract
Background
Cases of child sexual abuse are on an increase in our African set-up. Awareness of the problem and
knowledge of its manifestations is essential. Outlining of the profile of sexually abused children
will show the high risk population in the community and help in educating parents, teachers,
children and the community.
Objectives
Primary objective
To describe the characteristics of children aged below 19 years presenting with sexual abuse in
Kenyatta National Hospital.
Secondary objectives
1. To establish factors associated with child sexual abuse.
2. To establish the degree of injury in sexually abused children seen in Kenyatta National
Hospital.
Study design
Cross sectional study
Study population
Children aged below 19 years presenting with sexual abuse in Kenyatta National Hospital.
Study site
Kenyatta National Hospital
Study participants
One hundred and five (105)
Study period
August 2013 to December 2014
Study procedure
Consecutive sampling of sexually abused children below 19 years until the sample size was
reached. A questionnaire was administered to those who fit the criteria.
Results
The mean age of sexually abused children presenting in Kenyatta National Hospital is 11.1 years
with the youngest being 2 years old. 83.3% of the sexually abused children were females with a
female to male ratio of 5:1. Lack of supervision during play and poor social economic status are
factors associated with child sexual abuse.
Citation
Master of Medicine in PaediatricsPublisher
University of Nairobi