Quality of post rape care given to sexually abused minors: A qualitative study of Homa Bay District Hospital, Homa Bay County in Western Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT Despite high proportion of minors who have experienced sexual abuse in Kenya are presenting at health facilities for post rape care, literature shows post rape care health services are fragmented and health providers lack confidence in their skills. Thus, this study assesses the quality of post rape care among sexually abused minors in Homa Bay district of Western Kenya. The study examines the health facility s capacity to provide post rape care to sexually abused minors in addition to exploring the perceptions of health care providers on post rape care for survivors of sexual abuse. Accordingly, the study uses triangulation of different qualitative methods such as; review of health records, in-depth interviews as well as observations and case studies. Forty two medical records were reviewed and fifteen health providers and 2 adolescent girls who had been defiled were interviewed. The 2 girls were subsequently followed up as a case study. In addition, observation was used concurrently with the aforementioned data collection methods. The findings show that Homa Bay District Hospital receives an alarming number of sexually abused minors. Despite so, the quality of post rape care in the district hospital is hampered by a lack of medical supplies, drugs and stationery. The health providers had limited knowledge on post rape care and were not conversant with existing guidelines on management of sexual violence in Kenya. Moreover, the staff interviews demonstrated that some of the staff has negative attitudes toward sexually abused minors as well as certain aspects of post rape care. Therefore, the study recommends the development of post rape care delivery algorithms, equipping of the health facility with medical supplies, drugs, stationery and training of health providers on post rape care. In addition, the study proposes sensitization of the community on sexual and gender based violence and collaboration between relevant stakeholders involved in post rape care delivery.