Maltrato infantil en la ciudad de Temuco: estudio de prevalencia y factores asociados / Child abuse in Temuco, Chile: prevalence and risk factors

RESUMO

Background: Child maltreatment is recognised as a significant health problem in developed countries. There is increasing awareness on family violence in Chile, becoming a health priority in the last five years, but there is scant information about its prevalence. Aim: Determine prevalence of child abuse, and associated factors in a population sample from Temuco, Chile. Material and methods: A standardised questionnaire was applied to a sample of 422 women at their homes. Instrument had questions about disciplinary practices by caretakers, a standardised questionnaire to assess mental health, as measures of risk and protective factors for violence Results: The prevalence of psychological aggression delivered by mothers or fathers was 17.5 per cent and 6.8 per cent respectively. The figures for corporal punishment delivered by mother or fathers were 42.3 per cent and 17 per cent respectively. Three percent of mothers and 1.2 per cent of fathers recognised severe physical abuse. Associated factors were mother impaired mental health, antecedents of child abuse in both parents, parents alcohol abuse and child emotional/behavioral problem. Conclusion: Child abuse is a extended significant problem in Temuco that requires multidisciplinary intervention programs