War related sexual violence and it’s medical and psychological consequences as seen in Kitgum, Northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC International Health and Human Rights 2
Abstract
Background: Despite the recent adoption of the UN resolution 1820 (2008) which calls for the cessation of war
related sexual violence against civilians in conflict zones, Africa continues to see some of the worst cases of war
related sexual violence including the mass sexual abuse of entire rural communities particularly in the Great Lakes
region. In addition to calling for a complete halt to this abuse, there is a need for the systematic study of the
reproductive, surgical and psychological effects of war related sexual violence in the African socio-cultural setting.
This paper examines the specific long term health consequences of war related sexual violence among rural
women living in two internally displaced person’s camps in Kitgum district in war affected Northern Uganda who
accessed the services of an Isis-Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE) medical intervention.
Methods: The study employed a purposive cross-sectional study design where 813 respondents were subjected to
a structured interview as part of a screening procedure for an emergency medical intervention to identify
respondents who required psychological, gynaecological and surgical treatment.
Results: Over a quarter (28.6%) of the women (n = 573) reported having suffered at least one form of war related
sexual violence. About three quarters of the respondents had ‘at least one gynaecological complaint’ (72.4%) and
‘at least one surgical complaint’ (75.6%), while 69.4% had significant psychological distress scores (scores greater
than or equal to 6 on the WHO SRQ-20). The factors that were significantly associated with war related sexual
violence were the age group of less than or equal to 44 years, being Catholic, having suffered other war related
physical trauma, and having ‘at least one gynaecological complaint’. The specific gynaecological complaints
significantly associated with war related sexual violence were infertility, chronic lower abdominal pain, abnormal
vaginal bleeding, and sexual dysfunction. In a multivariable analysis the age group of less than or equal to 44
years, being Catholic and having ‘at least one gynaecological complaint’ remained significantly associated with war
related sexual violence.
Conclusion: The results from this study demonstrate that war related sexual violence is independently associated
with the later development of specific gynaecological complaints.
Description
Keywords
War, sexual violence, medical, psychological consequences, Kitgum, Northern Uganda
Citation
Kinyanda, E., Musisi, S., Biryabarema, C., Ezati, I., Oboke, H., Ojiambo-Ochieng, R., ... & Walugembe, J. (2010). War related sexual violence and it's medical and psychological consequences as seen in Kitgum, Northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study. BMC international health and human rights, 10(1), 1-8.doi:10.1186/1472-698X-10-28