TITLE:
Characteristics and Obstetrical Outcomes of Post-Rape Pregnancies among Adolescent Girls in Post Conflict Context in Eastern DR Congo
AUTHORS:
Kiminyi Kalunga, Nyakio Ngeleza Olivier, Raha Maroyi, Eloge Ilunga-Mbaya, Bwama Julien, Kalala Kanyinda Luc, Dénis Mukwege
KEYWORDS:
Sexual Violence, Pregnancy, Adolescent Victims, Complications, Prognosis, Perpetrators Profile
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.13 No.5,
May
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: In conflicts such as the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, sexual violence is systematically perpetrated against
children and adolescent girls. Unwanted pregnancy is one of the complications
with a myriad of consequences for the victim, the newborn, and society. This
study aims to draw up characteristics and obstetrical outcomes of post-rape pregnancies
of victims under 18 years old treated at Panzi General Referral Hospital (PGRH)
in Eastern DR Congo. Methods: A single-centre prospective descriptive
study was conducted at PGRH over two years (June 2020 to June 2022). This study
included 140 adolescent girls who became pregnant post sexual assault. They
were followed from confirmation of pregnancy to delivery. Sociodemographic,
psycho-affective and clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed using
XLSTAT 2014 software. Results: 76.4% came from rural areas, with a median age of 16
[13-17].
Pregnancy was continued in 50.7% and terminated in 20%. The victims were casual
acquaintances of the perpetrators in 33.6% and unknown in 26.4%. 57.9% attended
regular antenatal consultations. 74.3% had an individual birth plan/preparation
for labor, with the primary route of delivery being vaginal (69.3%). The
frequency of caesarean sections was 30.7%. Some psychological symptoms were
identified during labor in 52.9% like agitation (10.7%) and hypersensitivity
(8.6%). Conclusion: Pregnancy post rape is a public health problem
affecting adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age. These pregnancies require
closer follow-up with multi-disciplinary shared care, including psychology, obstetrics, and community input, to improve mother and
newborn antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum outcomes. In addition, long-term
psychological sequelae of these pregnancies can be mitigated through supportive
care in this high-risk period.