Assessment of Psycho-Social Services Offered to Childsexual Abuse Survivors: A Case Study at Lodwar County Referral Hospital, Turkana Central Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse is a widespread and severe offense characterized by "sexual acts involving an adult and a child, where the child is exploited for the perpetrator's sexual gratification." The aim of this study was to assess the Psycho-Social Services Offered to Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Case Study of Lodwar County Referral Hospital, Turkana Central Sub-County. The study was guided by the following objectives: To identify the type of psychosocial Support Services offered to Child Sexual Abuse Survivors; To find out the sociocultural factors affecting the provision of quality psychosocial support services offered to Child Sexual Abuse survivors. To assess the capacity of healthcare staff in the provision of Psychosocial Support Services to Child Sexual Abuse Survivors at Lodwar County and Referral Hospital, Turkana Central Sub-County. The study was guided by 2 theories which are ecological system theory and health belief model. A mixed research approach was used for this study, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The target population in this study included caregivers, health care providers, and Childhood Sexual Abuse survivors and hospital staff who are: hospital Chief Executive Officer administrator, human resource officers and matron. The study had a sample size of 120 participants. Stratified Random sampling was used to select the sample from the population. Data was collected using close-ended questionnaires and key informants’ interview, Focus group discussions and Child Depression Inventory Questionnaire. The Quantitative data Collected was analyzed in descriptively and inferential and presented in frequencies and percentages while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study reveals critical gaps in the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of psychosocial support services for child sexual abuse survivors at Lodwar County and Referral Hospital. This indicates that there is need to increasing engagement in continuous professional development for healthcare staff. This should include regular training sessions, workshops, and seminars to ensure that staff are updated on the latest practices and techniques in psychosocial support. The evaluate the availability and accessibility of psychosocial support services offered to child sexual abuse survivors at Lodwar County and Referral Hospital, the results highlight significant concerns about the availability, accessibility, and effectiveness of psychosocial support services, as well as challenges in communication and financial barriers that affect service access.