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Review
. 2022 Dec;28(13):S270-S276.
doi: 10.3201/eid2813.220394.

Sexual Violence Trends before and after Rollout of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures, Kenya

Walter Ochieng, Elizabeth O'Mara Sage, Thomas Achia, Patricia Oluoch, Caroline Kambona, John Njenga, Marc Bulterys, Aun Lor
Review

Sexual Violence Trends before and after Rollout of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures, Kenya

Walter Ochieng et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

COVID-19 mitigation measures such as curfews, lockdowns, and movement restrictions are effective in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2; however, these measures can enable sexual violence. We used data from the Kenya Health Information System and different time-series approaches to model the unintended consequences of COVID-19 mitigation measures on sexual violence trends in Kenya. We found a model-dependent 73%-122% increase in reported sexual violence cases, mostly among persons 10-17 years of age, translating to 35,688 excess sexual violence cases above what would have been expected in the absence of COVID-19-related restrictions. In addition, during lockdown, the percentage of reported rape survivors receiving recommended HIV PEP decreased from 61% to 51% and STI treatment from 72% to 61%. Sexual violence mitigation measures might include establishing comprehensive national sexual violence surveillance systems, enhancing prevention efforts during school closures, and maintaining access to essential comprehensive services for all ages and sexes.

Keywords: COVID-19; Kenya; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; coronavirus; coronavirus disease; respiratory infections; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; sexual violence; time-series analysis; trends; viruses; zoonoses.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Counties reporting sexual violence cases before and after rollout of COVID-19 mitigation measures, Kenya, January 2015–June 2021. The shaded areas indicated counties that have complete sexual violence reports in the Kenya DHIS-2 database, which were included in the analyses. The following counties did not report sexual violence data to the DHIS-2: Baringo, Bomet, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Garissa, Isiolo, Kericho, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Nandi, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Wajir, and West Pokot. DHIS-2, District Health Information System 2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Overall unadjusted trends in sexual violence cases before and after rollout of COVID-19 mitigation measures, Kenya, January 2015–June 2021. The graph shows monthly number of reported sexual violence cases; vertical red dashed line represents the official start of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in Kenya.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean sexual violence cases by age before and after rollout of COVID-19 mitigation measures, Kenya, January 2015–June 2021. Changes in age-disaggregated cases were calculated by using a Bayesian structural time series model. The horizontal dashed line represents the baseline; the vertical dashed line represents the official start of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in Kenya.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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