Physical child abuse demands increased awareness during health and socioeconomic crises like COVID-19

Martinkevich, Polina; Larsen, Lise Langeland; Græsholt-Knudsen, Troels; Hesthaven, Gitte; Hellfritzsch, Maja; Petersen, Karin L.; Möller‐Madsen, Bjarne; Rölfing, Jan Duedal

doi:10.1080/17453674.2020.1782012

Cited by 45 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…This again, has practical implications on future lockdown states, where pediatric services must focus not only on managing the acutely unwell child, but also ensure that the mental and social wellbeing of families and children are cared for, particularly in vulnerable families [ 40 ]. Gaps that already exist between health care providers and the community become more apparent during a pandemic [ 41 ]. There is an urgent need to collaborate with social services, counsellors and other community-based resources to prevent such events from occurring.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergencies and hospitalizations in Singapore

et al. 2020

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Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted the provision of health services in all specialties. We aim to study the impact of COVID-19 on the utilization of pediatric hospital services including emergency department (ED) attendances, hospitalizations, diagnostic categories and resource utilization in Singapore. Methods We performed a retrospective review of ED attendances and hospital admissions among children < 18 years old from January 1st to August 8th 2020 in a major pediatric hospital in Singapore. Data were analyzed in the following time periods: Pre-lockdown (divided by the change in Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level), during-lockdown and post-lockdown. We presented the data using proportions and percentage change in mean counts per day with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We attended to 58,367 children with a mean age of 5.1 years (standard deviation, SD 4.6). The mean ED attendance decreased by 331 children/day during lockdown compared to baseline (p < 0.001), attributed largely to a drop in respiratory (% change − 87.9, 95% CI − 89.3 to − 86.3, p < 0.001) and gastrointestinal infections (% change − 72.4, 95%CI − 75.9 to − 68.4, p < 0.001). Trauma-related diagnoses decreased at a slower rate across the same periods (% change − 40.0, 95%CI − 44.3 to − 35.3, p < 0.001). We saw 226 children with child abuse, with a greater proportion of total attendance seen post-lockdown (79, 0.6%) compared to baseline (36, 0.2%) (p < 0.001). In terms of ED resource utilization, there was a decrease in the overall mean number of procedures performed per day during the lockdown compared to baseline, driven largely by a reduction in blood investigations (% change − 73.9, 95%CI − 75.9 to − 71.7, p < 0.001). Conclusions We highlighted a significant decrease in infection-related presentations likely attributed to the lockdown and showed that the relative proportion of trauma-related attendances increased. By describing the impact of COVID-19 on health services, we report important trends that may provide guidance when planning resources for future pandemics.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergencies and hospitalizations in Singapore

et al. 2020

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“…It is important to note that the lockdown and social distancing could cause children-and especially children with mental disorders including developmental disabilities or physical or psychological comorbidities-to be prevented from fulfilling their psychological needs and developmental milestones leading to underdevelopment (69). Furthermore, home confinement can increase child abuse as pre-pandemic the vast majority of abuse was reported by staff working at institutions which were temporarily closed raising concerns that child abuse will go unnoticed, leading to higher child morbidity and mortality and long-term negative developmental consequences (70). The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 42-66 million more children potentially falling into poverty, and 13 million child marriages by 2030 that could otherwise have been averted, and 2 million more cases of female genital mutation by 2030 that could have been avoided (71,72).…”

Section: Summary Findings Around Vulnerable Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental Distress and Human Rights Violations During COVID-19: A Rapid Review of the Evidence Informing Rights, Mental Health Needs, and Public Policy Around Vulnerable Populations

et al. 2021

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Background: COVID-19 prevention and mitigation efforts were abrupt and challenging for most countries with the protracted lockdown straining socioeconomic activities. Marginalized groups and individuals are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of the pandemic such as human rights abuses and violations which can lead to psychological distress. In this review, we focus on mental distress and disturbances that have emanated due to human rights restrictions and violations amidst the pandemic. We underscore how mental health is both directly impacted by the force of pandemic and by prevention and mitigation structures put in place to combat the disease.Methods: We conducted a review of relevant studies examining human rights violations in COVID-19 response, with a focus on vulnerable populations, and its association with mental health and psychological well-being. We searched PubMed and Embase databases for studies between December 2019 to July 2020. Three reviewers evaluated the eligibility criteria and extracted data.Results: Twenty-four studies were included in the systematic inquiry reporting on distress due to human rights violations. Unanimously, the studies found vulnerable populations to be at a high risk for mental distress. Limited mobility rights disproportionately harmed psychiatric patients, low-income individuals, and minorities who were at higher risk for self-harm and worsening mental health. Healthcare workers suffered negative mental health consequences due to stigma and lack of personal protective equipment and stigma. Other vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and refugees also experienced negative consequences.Conclusions: This review emphasizes the need to uphold human rights and address long term mental health needs of populations that have suffered disproportionately during the pandemic. Countries can embed a proactive psychosocial response to medical management as well as in existing prevention strategies. International human rights guidelines are useful in this direction but an emphasis should be placed on strengthening rights informed psychosocial response with specific strategies to enhance mental health in the long-term. We underscore that various fundamental human rights are interdependent and therefore undermining one leads to a poor impact on the others. We strongly recommend global efforts toward focusing both on minimizing fatalities, protecting human rights, and promoting long term mental well-being.

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“…For violence researchers, the measures taken in response to COVID-19 present an extraordinary opportunity to advance our understanding of the social, psychological, economic and situational mechanisms that influence rates of violence [10]. In fact, contexts associated with pandemics create an environment in which children's socioecological systems are disrupted and, as a result, the incidence of child maltreatment is likely to increase [11]. However, many child welfare organizations around the world are noting a significant drop in reports of child abuse or neglect [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family violence against children in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic: a review of current perspectives and risk factors

Pereda

Díaz-Faes

2020

Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health

160

110

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The situation of crisis produced by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses major challenges to societies all over the world. While efforts to contain the virus are vital to protect global health, these same efforts are exposing children and adolescents to an increased risk of family violence. Various criminological theories explain the causes of this new danger. The social isolation required by the measures taken in the different countries, the impact on jobs, the economic instability, high levels of tension and fear of the virus, and new forms of relationships have all increased levels of stress in the most vulnerable families and, therefore, the risk of violence. In addition, mandatory lockdowns imposed to curb the spread of the disease have trapped children in their homes, isolating them from the people and the resources that could help them. In general, the restrictive measures imposed in many countries have not been accompanied by an analysis of the access to the resources needed to reduce this risk. It is necessary to take urgent measures to intervene in these high-risk contexts so that children and adolescents can develop and prosper in a society which is likely to undergo profound changes, but in which the defense of their rights and protection must remain a major priority.

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Physical child abuse demands increased awareness during health and socioeconomic crises like COVID-19

Cited by 45 publications

References 43 publications

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergencies and hospitalizations in Singapore

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric emergencies and hospitalizations in Singapore

Mental Distress and Human Rights Violations During COVID-19: A Rapid Review of the Evidence Informing Rights, Mental Health Needs, and Public Policy Around Vulnerable Populations

Family violence against children in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic: a review of current perspectives and risk factors

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