TITLE:
Medical Care for Rape Survivors at the “One Stop Center” Unit of the Commune V Reference Health Centre in Bamako, Mali
AUTHORS:
Saoudatou Tall, Niagalé Sylla, Brahima Cisse, Mamadou Keita, Drissa Goita, Soukalo Traore, Zeinabou Coulibaly, Dieneba Sacko, Maimouna Kante, Toure Assa Traore, Issa Konate, Saleck Doumbia, Dramane Haidara, Aminata Cisse, Fanta Coulibaly, Seydou Diallo, Soumana Oumar Traore
KEYWORDS:
Gender-Based Violence, Sexual Violence, Survivors, Bamako, Mali
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.15 No.3,
March
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: Gender-based violence is a generic expression describing harmful acts committed against someone’s will on the basis of differences due to gender-related societal precepts. In the sub-region, particularly in Dakar, Senegal and Bamako, Mali. Rates of 1.8% and 2% were reported by the authors. In Mali, according to EDS VI (2018), 68% of women who had experienced physical or sexual violence had never sought help and had never told anyone, 12% had never sought help but had told someone, and only 19% had sought help to put an end to the situation. We conducted a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study at the holistic (psychosocial, medical, security, economic, legal/judicial) gender-based violence management unit called “One-Stop Center” at the Commune V Reference Health Centre in the district of Bamako. The study focused on rape cases over a three-year period from June 1st, 2020 to June 30th, 2023. In total, we recorded 855 cases of gender-based violence, including 167 rape cases, representing 19.53% of all gender-based violence (GBV) cases. The average age of our survivors was 15, with extremes of 6 and 62. 51.5% were pupils/students and 71.3% were single. Vaginal penetration occurred in 92.2% of cases and ejaculation in 8.4%. The majority of survivors (54.5%) consulted a doctor within 72 hours after the act. Antiretrovirals were given to all survivors and the morning-after pill to 55.7% for preventive purposes.