Open AccessChild Sexual Abuse among School Children of a Municipality: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Author(s) -
Shree Krishna Shrestha,
Swechhya Baskota,
Urusha Karki,
Lisasha Poudel,
Niroj Bhandari,
Minani Gurung,
Bibek Rajbhandari,
Pramita Shrestha
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of nepal medical association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.176
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1815-672X
pISSN - 0028-2715
DOI - 10.31729/jnma.6865
Subject(s) - medicine , sexual abuse , child sexual abuse , cross sectional study , child abuse , confidence interval , descriptive statistics , descriptive research , physical abuse , psychiatry , environmental health , poison control , demography , suicide prevention , statistics , mathematics , pathology , sociology
Sexual abuse remains a hidden and underreported form of violence against children and a serious public health concern. Although it results in severe mental, physical, and psychological risks with consequences such as depression, fear, and low self-esteem, it is still an unexplored and less prioritized area in Nepal. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse among school children of a municipality. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted among 405 students, aged below 18 of Mandan-Deupur Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk from April to May 2018. Ethical clearance was taken from Nepal Health Research Council (Ref no 2506). A simple random sampling technique was used to select the schools. Collected data were then entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and percentage.Results: In overall, 64 (15.8%) (12.4-19.7 at 95% Confidence Interval) were found to be sexually abused, where a high prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse was reported for boys 46 (73.43%).Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, child sexual abuse is seen as a significant issue in the place studied. Awareness programs on child sexual abuse should be organized targeting children along with parents and community people.