Citation

Kataoka Y, Shitaya E, Kano N, Ohtake M. J. St. Lukes Soc. Nurs. Res. 2004; 8(1): 1-10.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, St. Luke's College of Nursing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objectives : The purpose of this survey was to document the nurses' practice for female victims of sexual assault or violence. In addition, we analyzed the difficulties and problems that nurse had with the care of the victims. Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1528 nurses who were working at hospitals around Tokyo from December, 1998 to April, 1999. Nurses completed self administered, anonymous questionnaire including how many female victims they had cared for; the type of outpatient clinic or ward where victims went where they received nursing care; what kind of experience nurses had with the victim. The return rate was 66.0 % (1005). Results : Of the 1005 nurses, 202 (20.1%) provided care to female victims of sexual assault or violence. Psychiatry, OBGYN, and emergency department nurses reported they had provided care for victims more than the other nurses. The reasons why victims attended clinics were injury, to test for STD and pregnancy, or to be safe. Nurses focused on mental health care for victims, but not on providing resource information and referrals. Only 10 % of nurses had received education for the care for victims of sexual assault. Lack of knowledge and skills in caring for victims, secondary traumatic stress due to hearing the victims' experience and lack of empathy or keeping a distance from the victim caused a barrier in caring for victims of sexual assault or violence. Conclusion : Providing some care for female victims of sexual assault or violence was common in health care settings in Japan, however, most nurses were not adequately trained. As a result of this study, it is clear we need to develop a care protocol for victims including appropriate training for nurses. In addition, we should establish the support system for nurses to prevent secondary traumatic stress.

Language: ja