Forensic aspects of sexual assaults examined at the Department of Forensic Medicine of the University Hospital Center of Bogodogo, Burkina Faso

Sexual assaults are a global issue and remain a major concern in African countries. They raise significant medico-legal challenges. This study, conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine of CHU-B, aimed to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and medico-legal aspects of sexual assault victims received. We carried out a retrospective descriptive study over five years (from April 15, 2017, to April 14, 2021) in the Forensic Medicine Department of Bogodogo University Hospital (CHU-B). This was an exhaustive sampling of all case files of sexual assault victims received in our study setting . We collected 205 case files of victims. The mean age was 15.46 years. The sex ratio was 0.025. Pupils/students represented 29.26%. Perpetrators were adult males in 90.24% of cases and acted alone in 90.24%. Threats were reported in 78.05% of cases, including 12.19% with a bladed weapon and 4.88% with a firearm. Assaults took place at home in 68.29% of cases. In 70.73% of cases, victims reported having been sexually penetrated by the male organ in the vagina, mouth, or anus. Victims examined showed clinical signs consistent with recent vaginal sexual penetration in 51.22%. Spermatozoa were found in 8.78% of cases. Sexual assaults remain a public health problem. Studying the associated factors will help determine specific preventive actions.