Prevalence and severity of abusive experiences during childhood among a group of young adults from Gampaha District

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Abuse during childhood is a public health problem leading to adverse health, social and economic consequences. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to determine the prevalence and severity of physical, sexual and emotional abuse during childhood among young adults aged 18-20 years schooling in the Gampaha District. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1500 schooling young adults selected by multistage cluster sampling. The prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional abuse was ascertained using the validated version of ICAST-R (ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool-Retrospective Version). The severity of abusive experiences was assessed using a tool developed by the researchers based on modified Delphi technique. RESULTS: Prevalence of physical abusive experiences during childhood was 45.4% (95%CI = 42.9–47.9) (males- 54.8%, 95%CI = 51.1–58.8, females- 38.3%, 95%CI = 35.0–41.3), prevalence of severe physical abuse was 0.1%.. Being 'beaten by an object' was the commonest experience among both males (45.9%, 95% CI = 42.8–49.8) and females (32.0%, 95% CI = 28.7-35.6). Prevalence of sexual abuse during childhood was 9.1% (95% CI=7.6-10.5) (males: 6.4%, 95%CI=4.6–8.3, females: 11.5%,95%CI = 9.4–13.7), prevalence of severe sexual abuse was 0.2%. ‘Someone exposing their genitals’ was the commonest act (9.1%, 95%CI = 7.1-11.1) experienced by females and ‘Someone touching the genitals’ was the commonest act (4.0%, 95%CI = 2.5-5.7) experienced by males. Prevalence of emotional abuse during childhood was 27.9% (95%CI = 25.7–30.2) (males: 33.9%, 95%CI = 30.4–37.3, females: 23.2%,95% CI = 20.3–26.1) severe emotional abuse was seen among 2.4%. Insulting or criticizing was the most common abusive act among both males (29.5%, 95%CI = 26.2-33.1) and females (20.1%, 95%CI = 17.2-22.9). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional abusive experiences during childhood were high among schooling young adults in the Gampaha District. This calls for targeted interventions.