Biomedical subjects
N O'Mara
Publications and source records attributed to N O'Mara.
Medical and social aspects of sexual assault of males: a survey of 100 victims.
Sexual assault of males is an infrequently reported and a poorly understood phenomenon. Details of 100 victims who sought assistance from a nationwide agency set up specifically to provide help for such individuals are reported here. Twenty eight victims were aged 16 years or over at the time of assault. The assailants were known by 72 of the victims and were perceived by the victim to have a heterosexual orientation in 72% of these cases. Attacks were often multiple and in 33 cases involved disruption of skin or mucous membranes. Twenty victims received threats about the possibility of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus and 17 victims sought medical advice following the assault, most commonly from their general practitioner. It is suggested that greater opportunities for medical and psychological support should be given to male victims of sexual assault.
Rape and subsequent seroconversion to HIV.
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Adult male victims of sexual assault: an underdiagnosed condition.
The records of 28 male victims of sexual assault were analysed retrospectively. The mean age at time of assault was 21.7 years and the mean number of assailants was 2.8. Sixteen victims (57%) reported skin or mucosal damage and 25 (89%) sustained penetrative anal intercourse. The threat of transmission of HIV was used by the assailant in 16 cases and sexually transmitted diseases, presumed consequent upon the attack, were found in 5 (18%). These observations suggest that male victims of sexual assault may be at particular risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and that efforts should be made to encourage them to come forward for help.