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Children’s exposure to psychological abuse and neglect: A population‐based study in rural Bangladesh
Author(s) -
Haque Md Atiqul,
Moniruzzaman Syed,
Janson Staffan,
Rahman AKM Fazlur,
Mashreky Saidur Rahman,
Eriksson UllaBritt
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15340
Subject(s) - neglect , child abuse , medicine , psychological abuse , child neglect , psychiatry , physical abuse , population , poison control , suicide prevention , injury prevention , clinical psychology , environmental health
Aim We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of child psychological abuse and neglect in a rural area of Bangladesh. Methods Data were obtained from interviewing 1416 children aged 11‐17 years administering the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse Screening Tool for Children between March and April 2017. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate the risks of child psychological abuse and neglect. Results The prevalence rates of at least one form of psychological abuse both in the past year and lifetime were more than 97 per cent. Moreover, the rates of at least one form of neglect were about 58 per cent during the past year and 78 per cent over lifetime. Living separately from parents posed children to significant risks of neglect and psychological abuse. Working children and greater number of siblings in a family were risk factors for neglect, whereas witnessing family violence and being bullied were risk factors for psychological abuse. Children with more years of schooling experienced less neglect and psychological abuse. Conclusion The high prevalence of child psychological abuse and neglect in this study shows child maltreatment as an ignored issue in Bangladesh.