Violence Against Children In Menoufia University Hospitals : Prevalence, Risk Factors and Socio-Demographic Correlates.

Abstract

Objectives: This work aimed to search for different patterns of violence against children presenting to Menoufia University hospital as regards socio-demographic data, type of violence and possible risk factors. Background: In every country, girls and boys suffer every day, and witness violence. Violence against children cuts across boundaries of culture, class, education, income, and ethnic origin, and occurs in many alternative settings. Violence against children includes physical, sexual, and psychological violence. Methodology: All cases of children exposed to different patterns of violence presenting to Menoufia University hospital asking for medico-legal report for two years (from 1st of December 2016 to 31st of November 2018) were included in the study. The study was conducted after approval from the ethical committee of the faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University. Results: The study concluded that the most reported type of child violence is physical type, indoor, repeated, with rates being higher for females than for males. The prevalence was higher in rural than urban residency. Most of the perpetrators were male, (father inside the family and friends from outside the family), manual workers, with below secondary education, heavy smoking. Divorced parents with large families. The driving forces of violence against children are family troubles, financial and immoral causes.