Peer-reviewed article

Association of age, sexual intercourse history, and vaginal discharge with bacterial vaginosis among child victims of sexual violence: a case-control medicolegal study from Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Fath Widya Iswara RA · 23 Feb 2026

Abstract

Background Sexual violence against children is a major public health and human rights concern. Penetrative abuse may be accompanied by genital infections that are relevant in medicolegal examinations. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common vaginal infection among female victims and may be associated with age, sexual exposure, and vaginal discharge. This study examined the association of age, sexual intercourse history, and vaginal discharge with BV among child victims of sexual violence in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, and compared BV prevalence with non-abused controls. Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted using medicolegal and clinical records from January 2020 to December 2024. Cases included 250 female children and adolescents who were victims of sexual violence, and controls were 250 age-matched non-abused female children. BV was diagnosed using clinical and laboratory findings. Associations were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression, reporting odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results BV prevalence was higher among victims than controls (45.6% vs. 26.0%). Adolescents had higher odds of BV (OR = 2.78, 95% CI 1.85-4.18). Sexual intercourse history was associated with BV (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.60-3.34). Vaginal discharge was the strongest predictor (OR = 4.03, 95% CI 2.50-6.50). Conclusions BV is significantly associated with age, sexual intercourse history, and vaginal discharge among child victims of sexual violence, supporting its role as a supplementary medicolegal finding.