Health care providers’ responses to sexually abused children and adolescents: A systematic review
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC health services research
Abstract
Background: Sexual abuse of children and adolescents is a signifcant health concern worldwide. Appropriate and
timely health services for victims can prevent severe and long-term consequences. This study identifed and categorized diagnostic and treatment services needed for sexually abused children and adolescents.
Methods: Several databases, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Google
Scholar, were searched to retrieve studies on the topic and clinical guidelines in English covering the literature from
2010 to 2020 using search terms. Primary studies and guidelines were reviewed to identify treatment strategies and
medical interventions related to sexually abused children and adolescents.
Results: Twenty-one studies and guidelines were selected and analyzed narratively. The quality of evidence was
relatively good. We identifed that efective health care systems for sexually abused children include the following:
interview and obtain medical history, physical and anogenital examination, collecting forensic and DNA evidence,
documenting all the fndings, prevention and termination of pregnancy, diagnostic tests, prophylaxis for HIV and
other STIs, vaccinations, and psychological intervention.
Conclusions: This review provides up-to-date evidence about adequate health care services for children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. We conclude that recent studies have focused more on prophylaxis against HIV and
other STIs, studies on vaccinating against HPV for victims are still limited, and future research in this area is needed.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, adolescents, systematic review, International Resources, Iran, reproductive health
Citation
Rahnavardi, M., Shahali, S., Montazeri, A., & Ahmadi, F. (2022). Health care providers’ responses to sexually abused children and adolescents: a systematic review. BMC health services research, 22(1), 1-11.