Make wishtv.com your home page

Study: Many teen sex assault victims get subpar ER care

CHICAGO (AP) – A new study suggests that many teens who are sexually assaulted don’t receive the recommended emergency room tests and prevention treatments for pregnancy and venereal disease.

Among the 38 children’s hospitals studied, testing and treatment rates varied widely, from zero teens treated to almost 90 percent tested.

Subpar treatment puts teens at risk for infections including HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea, along with unwanted pregnancies.

The study’s authors say based on the data between 2004 and 2013, there needs to be better awareness of testing and treatment guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study was published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.