Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40544315›Full record

ArticleSystematic reviews2025

A protocol for a systematic review of health consequences of conflict-related sexual violence (2015-2024).

Anna Julia Kwiatkowska, Solveig Frøiland, Andrea Solnes Miltenburg, Cynthia Khamala Wangamati

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Systematic reviews, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Anna Julia Kwiatkowska *Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Postboks 1078, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway. a.j.kwiatkowska@studmed.uio.no.ORCID 0009-0004-1491-3537
Solveig Frøiland *Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Postboks 1078, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway.
Andrea Solnes MiltenburgMedical Faculty, University of Oslo, Postboks 1078, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway.
Cynthia Khamala WangamatiMedical Faculty, University of Oslo, Postboks 1078, Blindern, Oslo, 0316, Norway.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundConflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) is a public health issue affecting thousands of survivors and with long-term consequences; however, it is underreported and difficult to investigate. This systematic review, covering 2015 to 2024, will explore sexual violence in conflict zones, extract and summarize the various reported health outcomes, and address knowledge gaps.

methodsQuantitative, qualitative, and mixed method studies will be included to explore the physical, mental, and social consequences of sexual violence. The WHO definition of sexual violence will guide the review to ensure consistency and alignment with global standards. Search terms will be selected with the assistance of a health information specialist and based on previous research. Only peer-reviewed articles will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen titles and abstracts.. Selected articles will be assessed for quality using the MMAT tool. Covidence will be used to assist in the study selection and data extraction.

objectiveThe objective of this study is to assess the reported health consequences of CRSV. Key research questions include the following: how sexual violence is defined in the literature; its physical, mental, and social health consequences; how perpetrators and the type of sexual violence are portrayed; and the contextual factors that facilitate or hinder such violence in conflict settings. DISCUSSION: In light of ongoing global conflicts, this review will address the urgent need to understand the health consequences of CRSV. Building on previous work, including Ba and Bhopal (Public Health 1(142):121-35, 2017) and to supplement Rubini et al. (Int J Equity Health 27(22):1-227, 2023), this study integrates quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method research within a Biopsychosocial Model (Engel, Fam Syst Med 1977:317-31, 1992) framework to provide a holistic perspective on CRSV. Recognizing challenges such as underreporting by the survivors-shaped by stigma, safety concerns, and survivor agency (Mannergren-Selimovic, Peacebuilding 30:1-15, 2018)-this review also considers how perpetrators and experiences are portrayed. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42024503037).

Indexed as

Armed ConflictsSex OffensesHumansPublic HealthResearch DesignSystematic Reviews as TopicArmed conflictHealth consequencesRapeSexual abuseSexual harassmentSexual violenceWar

Identifiers

PMID40544315
PMCPMC12182675

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.