National Guidelines on Management of Sexual Violence in Kenya

Options for Emergency Contraception
Progestin only pills Postinor 2 1-tabs 12 hours apart
(total 2 tabs) or
2-tabs at a go
Combined oral contraceptive pills with
high dose of oestrogen (50µg)
Combined oral contraceptive pills with
low dose of oestrogen (30µg)
Oral
Nordette
2-tabs 12 hours apart
(total 4 tabs)
4-tabs 12 hours apart
(total 8 tabs)
Ideally, an anti-emetic should be given about 30 minutes before: Plasil 10mg
stat., then as needed.
Note
Emergency contraception is to prevent pregnancy and is NOT a form of abortion as
termination of pregnancy may be unacceptable to some people. Unless a woman is
obviously pregnant, a baseline pregnancy test should be performed. However, this
should not delay the first dose of EC, as these drugs are not known to be harmful to
an early (unknown) pregnancy.
A follow up pregnancy test at six weeks should be offered to all women who return for
follow up, regardless of whether they took EC after the rape or not. If they present with
a pregnancy, which they feel is as a consequence of the rape, they should be informed
that in Kenya, termination of pregnancy may be allowed after rape (Sexual Offences
Act, 2006). If the woman decides to opt for termination, she should be treated with
compassion, and referred appropriately.
8. Prophylaxis of Sexually Transmitted Infections
STI prophylaxis should be offered to all survivors of sexual violence. It needs
not to be given at the same time as the initial doses of PEP and EC as the pill
burden can be intolerable. It should preferably be prescribed for the survivor
and given for uptake within 24hours.
The HVS performed at presentation is done for forensic reasons and not to screen for
STIs and/or guide antibiotic administration. People with a “normal” HVS should still
be offered STI prophylaxis.
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