Long-term healthcare utilisation following child sex abuse: A follow-up study utilising five years of medical data

Background: Limited attention has been paid to the long-term physical health consequences experienced by CSA survivors. Research has found that CSA is often associated with increased health burden in adulthood. However, research in this area is plagued by a range of methodological difficulties, rendering it difficult to draw conclusions regarding the health status of CSA survivors. Objective: This research sought to investigate associations between child sexual abuse (CSA) victimisation and rates of subsequent healthcare utilisation. Method: The forensic medical records of 2759 cases of CSA between 1964 and 1995 were linked to commonwealth Australian medical data recorded between 2010 and 2015. Differences in rates of health service utilisation during this five-year period were compared between CSA victims and a age and gender matched comparison cohort without known abuse history. Findings: CSA was associated with increased levels of attendance at health professionals (OR = 1.51, p < .001) for medical care and for consultations related to dental (OR = 1.28, p < .001) and chronic disease (OR = 1.23, p < .001). CSA was associated with lower mean rates of attendance at gynaecologists. Gender and age at abuse significantly influenced the relationship between CSA and frequency of health service utilisation. Conclusions: Experiencing CSA was associated with increases in rates of contact with health professionals. Abused females and victims abused after 12 years of age demonstrated the greatest elevations in rates of service utilisation. These findings have significance for both researchers in this field, and medical practitioners providing primary care.