Citation

Massey JB, García CR, Emich JP. Obstet. Gynecol. 1971; 38(1): 29-36.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1971, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

5109235

Abstract

The victim of sexual assault has 5 needs: 1) care of injuries, 2) prevention of venereal disease, 3) prevention/alleviation of psychologic damage, 4) medicolegal examination with documentation for law enforcement authorities, and 5) prevention of pregnancy. The staff of Philadelphia General Hospital, in a program designed to meet these needs, treated 480 (24.6 per 100,000 population) victims of sexual assault in 1968. 70% were ages 14-44, 24% below 14 years of age. In this program, serologic testing and cultures are followed by intramuscular injection of penicillin, 2,400,000 units. Both pediatric and adult victims are treated with reassurance, close follow-up and psychiatric referral as indicated. Detection of motile spermatozoa by examination of vaginal aspirate by a qualified experienced laboratory technician is of utmost importance. Postcoital contraceptive therapy revealed a high incidence of gastrointestinal side effects and 4 pregnancies were established in the treated cycle.

Language: en