Female sexual abuse evaluation in the urological practice: results of a Dutch survey.
BACKGROUND
There is a strong association between urological complaints and a history of sexual abuse, especially in females. It is not known whether urologists integrate these facts in their daily practice.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether Dutch urologists address the issues of sexual abuse in their female patients and to evaluate their perception of sexual abuse prevalences.


METHODS
A five-item anonymous questionnaire was mailed to all 405 registered members of the Dutch Urology Association (urologists and residents).


METHODS
The results of the survey.


RESULTS
One hundred eighty-six surveys of eligible respondents were returned (45.9% response rate). A total of 68.8% stated that they always ask their female patients about sexual abuse before doing the physical examination. Overall, 79.3% said to do so when a patient has certain urological complaints: 77.6% in case of lower abdominal pain, 62.1% in urgency or frequency, 41.4% in incontinence, 29.3% in urinary tract infections, and 3.4% in hematuria. The majority of the respondents (74.3%) estimated the frequency of sexual abuse in their urological clinic to be equal or less than 10%.


CONCLUSIONS
Nearly 70% of the responding Dutch urologists and residents ask their female patients about possible sexual abuse. They estimate the frequency of sexual abuse in their female patients to be equal or less than 10%.
Urology, University of Leiden, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, Zuidholland 2333 ZA, Netherlands. jackybeck@hotmail.com
Jack
J
Beck
Milou
M
Bekker
Mels
M
Van Driel
Hein
H
Putter
Rob
R
Pelger
A A B
AA
Lycklama A Nijeholt
Henk Willem
HW
Elzevier
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data