Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Features, Treatment and Outcome of Coital Injuries of the Female Genital Tract Consecutive to Consensual Sexual Intercourse in the Limbe Regional Hospital

Introduction

Nonobstetrical genital injuries are gradually becoming a common cause of genital injuries. Consensual sex has been reported to be a possible cause of this type of injuries, but its contribution to traumatic lesions of the female genital tract is not well known. It has been suggested that injury consecutive to consensual sex can be extensive and life‐threatening.

Aim

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features, treatment modalities, and the outcome of injuries to the female genital tract consecutive to a consensual sexual intercourse.

Methods

A retrospective review of records of female patients admitted in our institution with a complaint of genital injury over a 5‐year period. We collected data regarding patient and injury characteristics, findings of the gynecologic examination, modalities of management and final outcome.

Main Outcome Measures

Anatomic location and nature of injury, modalities of management, admission rate and mortality rate.

Results

Forty six cases could be analyzed. Their mean age was 25.6 years. Almost 35% of patients sustained the injury during their first sexual contact. The majority presented with bleeding, often combined with pain. One patient presented with features of peritonitis. During examination, no anatomic lesions could be identified in 16 (34.8%) of patients. When a lesion was present, it concerned mostly the posterior fornix (28.3%) and the lateral vaginal wall (10%). The most frequently described lesion was a laceration. The majority of patients (83%) were treated with suturing under local anesthesia. The admission rate was 28%, and was significantly higher in patients with a laceration of the posterior fornix. No death was recorded.

Conclusions

Coital injuries following consensual sex often present in the form of a life‐threatening condition and young female with no previous sexual experience are particularly exposed. Most lesions can be treated with a simple suture. 

Clinical characteristics recorded in patients with a coital injury in Limbe Regional Hospital

Clinical characteristic	Number	Percentage
Period of abstinence
Never had sex before	16	34.8
Less than 1 month	13	28.2
1–6 months	4	8.7
More than 6 months	7	15.3
Unknown	6	13.0
Main complaint
Genital pain	39	84.8
Bleeding	31	67.4
Lower abdominal pain	18	39.1
Other	7	15.2
Anatomic location of lesion
Posterior fornix	13	28.3
Lateral vaginal wall	5	10.9
Labia minora	3	6.5
Clitoris	2	4.3
Perineum	2	4.3
Posterior fourchette	1	2.2
Multiple	4	8.7
No identifiable lesion	16	34.8

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/CKYZOu

By:  Robert Tchounzou, MD 1 and Alain Chichom‐Mefire, MD 1

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea and Regional Hospital Limbe, Limbe, Cameroon

Corresponding author.

*Corresponding Author: Alain Chichom‐Mefire, MD, Genral Surgeon, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea and Regional Hospital Limbe, P.O. Box 25526, Yaounde, Cameroon. Tel: +237 677 530 532; Fax: +237 677 530 532; E‐mail: moc.liamg@erifemohcihc

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Factors Associated with Early Resumption of Sexual Intercourse among Postnatal Women in Uganda

Background

Despite being a key component to be addressed during postnatal period, sexuality has long been a subject of secrecy and taboo in Africa. Resumption of sexual intercourse after giving birth has been shown to reduce extramarital affairs and consequently reduce risk of sexually transmitted infections like HIV/AIDS. Consequences of early resumption of sexual intercourse include unwanted pregnancy, genital trauma and puerperal infection. The objective of the study was to assess prevalence and factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse among postnatal mothers attending postnatal clinic at a National referral Hospital in Uganda.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study that employed an interviewer-administered questionnaire was conducted among 374 women who delivered six months prior to conducting the study. The independent variables included socio-demographic characteristics of the participant, socio-demographic characteristics of the spouse, perceived cultural norms, medical history, mode of delivery, and postpartum complications. The dependent variable was timing of resumption of sexual intercourse after childbirth (before or after six weeks postpartum). Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0.

Results

The study showed that 105 participants (21.6 %) had resumed sexual intercourse before 6 weeks after childbirth. The participants’ education level, occupation, and parity; education level of the spouse, age of baby and use of family planning were the factors associated with early resumption of sexual intercourse after child birth (before six weeks postpartum) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Many women resumed sexual intercourse after six weeks. Women with high income, low parity, who ever-used contraception or had a spouse with high education level were more likely to have early resumption of sexual intercourse.

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/QyG4vY

By:  Alice C. Alum¹, Irene B. Kizza², Charles P. Osingada¹, Godfrey Katende² and Dan K. Kaye^3*

¹Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

²Adult Health and Critical Care Department, College of Nursing, Sultan Qaboos University, Alkhod, Muscat, PC 123, Oman

³Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

 

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