Indicators of childhood sexual abuse in gynaecological patients in a general practice.
OBJECTIVE
To find indicators of a history of childhood sexual abuse in patients consulting for a gynaecological examination in a general practice.


METHODS
Semistructured interview after a consultation.


METHODS
General practice in the city of Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
Of 117 women aged 20-49 with a gynaeco- logical problem, 85 were interviewed.


METHODS
History of childhood sexual abuse.


RESULTS
24 (28%) of 85 women interviewed by their female GP when consulting for a gynaecological problem reported childhood sexual abuse. In total they reported 32 abusive events, quite different as to the type of assault, the relation to the offender, and the duration. A history of pelvic pain or gynaecological surgery showed a significant association with reported childhood sexual abuse with odds ratios of 4.0 (CI 1.0-15.8) and 4.1 (CI 1.0-17.0), respectively. As adverse sexual experiences may lead to somatization as a coping strategy, certain findings might be indicators of unknown childhood sexual abuse in patients presenting for gynaecological disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
A history of pelvic pain and gynaecological surgery may be indicators of sexual abuse in childhood.
Kirkengen
A L
AL
Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Norway.
Schei
B
B
Steine
S
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012017:Referral and Consultation