Predictors of post-rape medical care in a national sample of women

Background: Rape has a negative impact on physical and mental health, healt h-related behaviors, and health service utilization. Timely medical care is important for preventive services. Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from a larger 2-year longitudin al study, the National Women's Study (NWS). A total of 3006 adult women par ticipated in the final data collection wave of the NWS. During a structured telephone interview, women who reported a mast-recent or only rape inciden t during adulthood were asked about rape characteristics, reporting to auth orities, medical care, and rape-related concerns. The main outcome measures were receipt and timing of medical care received after an adult rape, and factors influencing whether or not medical care was received. Results: Of the sample, 214 (7.1%) had experienced a most-recent or only ra pe as an adult (aged greater than or equal to 18), and 56 (26.2%) received rape-related medical care following that incident. The final model multivar iable logistic regression indicated that reporting the crime to police or o ther authorities (odds ratio [OR], 9.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.3 4-26.70) and fear of sexually transmitted diseases (OR, 8.61; 95% CI = 3.12 -23.72) were significant predictors of receipt of post-rape medical care. Conclusion: One in five victims reported an adult rape to police or other a uthorities; these women were nine times more likely to receive medical care than those who did not. Public health efforts are needed to increase the p roportion of rape victims who receive immediate post-rape medical care.