Citation

Nayak A, Behera R, Karia S, Smirnova D, Desousa A. Indian J. Forensic Med. Toxicol. 2023; 17(1): 87-92.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. Deptartment of Forensic Medicine)

DOI

10.37506/ijfmt.v17i1.18900

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sexual assault is a traumatic experience and can lead to various physical and psychiatric health issues. The victims of sexual assault have to live with the long-lasting implications of mental health problems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in people with a past history of sexual assault referred to outpatient department of a tertiary healthcare facility in urban India.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was carried out by analyzing clinical records of the patients with a past history of sexual assault who were referred to the Psychiatry OPD of our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021. For analysis, demographic data like age, sex, employment status, and marital status and phenomenological data like type of sexual assault, frequency of assault, frequency of assault leading to pregnancy, and psychiatric illness were collected.

Results: The study included 33 patients with a past history of sexual assault, out of which 30 were females and 3 males. It was found that 7 patients were diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and 2 had Intellectual Disability. Furthermore, 4 patients were diagnosed as having Attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Anxiety disorder, Post traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood each.

Conclusion: Almost 40% of patients with history of sexual assault had some or the other psychiatric disorders. So, its important to follow up these patients to diagnose early and intervene at right time.

Language: en

Keywords

: sexual assault; psychiatric health problems