Retrospective Chart Analysis of Sexual Assault Victims Referred to Psychiatry OPD

Authors

  • Ajita Nayak
  • Ritika Behera
  • Sagar Karia
  • Daria Smirnova
  • Avinash Desousa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i1.18900

Keywords:

: sexual assault, psychiatric health problems

Abstract

Background: Sexual assault is a traumatic experience and can lead to various physical and psychiatric health
issues. The victims of sexual assault have to live with the long-lasting implications of mental health problems.
This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in people with a past history of sexual assault
referred to outpatient department of a tertiary healthcare facility in urban India.
Methods: A retrospective chart review was carried out by analyzing clinical records of the patients with a past
history of sexual assault who were referred to the Psychiatry OPD of our hospital from January 2021 to December
2021. For analysis, demographic data like age, sex, employment status, and marital status and phenomenological
data like type of sexual assault, frequency of assault, frequency of assault leading to pregnancy, and psychiatric
illness were collected.
Results: The study included 33 patients with a past history of sexual assault, out of which 30 were females and
3 males. It was found that 7 patients were diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and 2 had Intellectual
Disability. Furthermore, 4 patients were diagnosed as having Attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Anxiety
disorder, Post traumatic stress disorder, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood each.
Conclusion: Almost 40% of patients with history of sexual assault had some or the other psychiatric disorders. So,
its important to follow up these patients to diagnose early and intervene at right time.

Author Biographies

  • Ajita Nayak

    Medical InternĀ  Department of Psychiatry, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai

  • Ritika Behera

    Medical InternĀ  Department of Psychiatry, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai

  • Sagar Karia

    Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai,

  • Daria Smirnova

    International Centre for Education and Research in Neuropsychiatry, Samara State Medical University, Samara, Russia

  • Avinash Desousa

    Research Associate and Consultant Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Mumbai

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Published

2022-12-21

How to Cite

Retrospective Chart Analysis of Sexual Assault Victims Referred to Psychiatry OPD. (2022). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 17(1), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i1.18900