Knowledge of Women and Girls Complaining of Rape Referred to Babol Forensic Medicine Center About Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexual assault causes significant health complications for victims, including sexually transmitted diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of women and girls who complain of rape about sexually transmitted diseases, because by recognizing the educational needs of people in the community can help improve the health of the community.

In this descriptive study, 100 women and girls complaining of rape referred to Babol Forensic Medicine Center were examined in terms of knowledge of the nature and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Samples were selected by convenience sampling and the data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.

More than half of the research units (59%) had no knowledge about the nature and method of transmission and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, 24% had poor knowledge, 7% had moderate knowledge and only 10% had good knowledge.

Considering the importance of prevention of sexually transmitted diseases in rape victims, the necessary education in the field of methods of prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and health care centers, through new and appropriate methods of community culture, should be provided to these people in forensic medicine centers.