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Cited by 301Gender, Security, and ConflictHealth and Conflict StudiesSex work and related issues

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 56 of the 56 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The Prevalence of Sexual Violence among Female Refugees in Complex Humanitarian Emergencies: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Open access
Vu, Alexander, Adam, Atif, Wirtz, Andrea, Pham, Kiemanh, Rubenstein, Leonard, Glass, Nancy, Beyrer, Chris, Singh, Sonal·2014·PLoS Currents
DOI 10.1371/currents.dis.835f10778fd80ae031aac12d3b533ca7PMC PMC4012695
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Abstract

IMPORTANCE: Refugees and internally displaced persons are highly vulnerable to sexual violence during conflict and subsequent displacement. However, accurate estimates of the prevalence of sexual violence among in these populations remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of sexual violence among refugees and displaced persons in complex humanitarian emergencies. DATA SOURCE: We conducted systematic review of relevant literature in multiple databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, and MEDLINE) through February 2013 to identify studies. We also reviewed reference lists of included articles to identify any missing sources. STUDY SELECTION: Inclusion criteria required identification of sexual violence among refugees and internally displaced persons or those displaced by conflict in complex humanitarian settings. Studies were excluded if they did not provide female sexual violence prevalence, or that included only single case reports, anecdotes, and those that focused on displacement associated with natural disasters. After a review of 1175 citations 19 unique studies were selected. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers worked independently to identify final selection and a third reviewer adjudicated any differences. Descriptive and quantitative information was extracted; prevalence estimates were synthesized. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. MAIN OUTCOMES: The main outcome of interest was sexual violence among female refugees and internally displaced persons in complex humanitarian settings. RESULTS: The prevalence of sexual violence was estimated at 21.4% (95% CI, 14.9-28.7; I2=98.3%), using a random effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was noted with studies using probability sampling designs reporting lower prevalence of sexual violence (21.0%, 95% CI, 13.2-30.1; I2=98.6%), compared to lower quality studies (21.7%, 95% CI, 11.5-34.2; I2=97.4%). We could not rule out the presence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that approximately one in five refugees or displaced women in complex humanitarian settings experienced sexual violence. However, this is likely an underestimation of the true prevalence given the multiple existing barriers associated with disclosure. The long-term health and social consequences of sexual violence for women and their families necessitate strategies to improve identification of survivors of sexual violence and increase prevention and response interventions in these complex settings.

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Metadata

Authors
Vu, A., Adam, A., Wirtz, A., Pham, K., Rubenstein, L., Glass, N., Beyrer, C., & Singh, S.
Affiliations
Johns Hopkins University (US)
ORCID
Venue
PLoS Currents
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2014
Volume
6
ISSN
2157-3999 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/currents.dis.835f10778fd80ae031aac12d3b533ca7
PMC
PMC4012695
OpenAlex
W2052504169
Semantic Scholar
7a2a2142edd6f41908001da60ce923cb63aa1803
Cited by
300
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 32 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 5
FWCI
37.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • PLoS Currents (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (KL2TR001077)
  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Security, and Conflict
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Conflict Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Sex work and related issues
Keywords
sexual violence, refugee women, internally displaced persons, complex emergencies, prevalence, sexual violence in armed conflict, barriers to disclosure, sexual violence prevention

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