Demographic characteristics and risk actors of children and parents in child abuse subtypes: Findings from a psychosocial support department

Abstract

Introduction: Child abuse remains a significant public health and social problem in developing countries. Studies on this subject could provide valuable information regarding the scope and nature of this phenomenon and its impact on public health. This study aimed to determine the demographic characteristics and risk factors of children and parents involved in subtypes of child abuse in a psychosocial support department. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a pediatric hospital in Bandar Abbas, Iran from 2011 to 2013. The understudy population consisted of 519 child abuse cases that had been referred to psychosocial support departments for further investigations. Data regarding demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected using a questionnaire. Data analyzed through descriptive statistics, Logistic regression and SPSS software version 16. Results: From the total, 315 (60.7%) were boys and 355 (68.4%) were under 6 years. A total of 152 (29.3%) parents had mental disorders. The most common type of abuse in children was neglect (77%). Physical abuse was more commonly done by working mothers. Study results also revealed that physical abuse was less prevalent among children of less educated mothers and fathers. Physical abuse was also more common among children of parents with mental disorders and single parent families. Conclusion: This study showed that demographic characteristics of the child and parents and some related risk factors have a significant effect on child abuse subtypes.