Sexually transmitted infections among girls aged 1 to 15 years, presumed victims of sexual abuse in Thies / Senegal: about 98 cases

Abstract

Background: Sexually transmitted infections among girls remain a health problem, which, outside the perinatal period, occur most often in the context of sexual abuse. The objectives of this study were to determine the epidemiologic, clinical, para clinical and therapeutic aspects. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out from the 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2018 (8 years). All files of girls under the age of 15 presumed to be victims of sexual abuse were included. The data collected comprised socio demographic, clinical, para clinical, and therapeutic variables. Results: 143 patients were consulted for sexual abuse, among which 98, that is, 73% were children. The average age was 10.4 years ± 3.35 years (2-15 years). The port of entry was vaginal penetration in 40 cases (40.8%). The time to consultation was 29 days ±127 days. The retro viral and HBs antigen serology performed in 97% of the cases was negative. Syphilis serology was positive only in one case. The germs isolated were: Mycoplasma (2%); Ureaplasma, Chlamydia, Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Candida albicans were found at 1% each. Two (2%) of the children had received prior anti retro viral prophylaxis. Conclusion: In children, the diagnostic of sexual abuse remains difficult. And the resulting sexually transmitted infections are even more so. Confirmation requires specific methods, especially since there are legal proceedings.