title: Sexually transmitted infections among women attending a Norwegian Sexual Assault Centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to describe the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and blood-borne viruses (BBV), and prophylactic treatment offered to female postpubertal patients attending a Norwegian Sexual Assault Centre (SAC). We wanted to evaluate whether STIs diagnosed at the initial visit could have been assault-transmitted, and to explore whether background and assault characteristics were associated with diagnosed STI/BBV.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included postpubertal females ≥12 years of age attending the SAC within 1 week of the assault. Data were collected from records. We conducted a retrospective, descriptive study, and used logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 412 patients with a median age of 21 years, 35 patients had an STI (8.5%), two of which probably were assault-transmitted. Chlamydia trachomatis was the dominating agent, detected in 25 patients (6.4%). At serology screening, 3.7% tested positive for hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B core antibody. Patient age 16-19 years was associated with STI, while BBV positives were older. Non-Western assailant was associated with STI, while substance abuse was associated with STI and BBV. In order to prevent potential transmission of STI not identified at the initial visit, 91% accepted prophylaxis against bacterial STI, while antiviral prophylaxis was offered to less than one-fifth of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The C trachomatis prevalence among the sexual assault patients was lower than in a comparable clinical population. The STI was suspected to be assault-transmitted in only two cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Cecilie Therese
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hagemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's and Women's Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Svein Arne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nordbø
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway Resource Centre about violence, Traumatic Stress and Suicide Prevention, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Arne Kristian
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Myhre
authors.affiliation: Division of Forensic Medicine and Drug Abuse Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ormstad
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Berit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011902:Rape; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012742:Sex Offenses; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents
keywords: HEPATITIS B; HEPATITIS C; SEXUAL ASSAULT; SEXUAL HEALTH; WOMEN