title: Care-seeking behavior by survivors of sexual assault in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
abstract: In February 2008, trained female interviewers collected data on sexual violence and use of medical services following sexual assault from 607 women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Exposure to sexual violence during the DRC's civil war was reported by 17.8% of the women; 4.8% of the women reported exposure to sexual violence after the war. Few sexual-assault survivors accessed timely medical care. Facility assessments showed that this care was rarely available. Clinical care for sexual-assault survivors must be integrated into primary health care for DRC women.
authors.affiliation: RAISE Initiative, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave, B3, New York, NY 10032, USA. sec42@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Casey
authors.forename: Meghan C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Babou Rukengeza
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Makanda
authors.forename: Janet L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: Mereia Cano
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vinas
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult