Abstract
This study examines the patterns of alcohol-related physical abuse and alcohol use and related behaviors among children living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. The study is based on a cross-sectional survey, conducted in spring 2014, of service-seeking children ages 12 to 18 years (n = 1134) attending Uganda Youth Development Link drop-in centers for vulnerable children in the slums. Descriptive statistics, chi-squares, and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine patterns of children’s alcohol-related behaviors, based on alcohol-related physical abuse and neglect. Nearly 34% of children (n = 380) reported experiencing physical abuse, and 12.4% (n = 140) reported experiencing alcohol-related physical abuse. Alcohol-related neglect was reported among 19.6% (n = 212) of the children. Past year alcohol use was significantly more prevalent among children who reported experiencing alcohol-related neglect ( = 79.18, df = 1, p < 0.0001) and alcohol-related physical abuse ( = 62.02, df = 1, p < 0.0001). Reporting physical abuse was also associated with parental alcohol use (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.38, 2.48) and parental partner violence (OR: 5.51; 95% CI: 4.09, 7.43), after adjusting for other variables in the model. Given the high levels of alcohol-related abuse and neglect reported in this population, both primary and secondary prevention initiatives are needed to improve parenting strategies and to reduce alcohol-related harm. Similarly, strategies to reduce and delay alcohol use among these vulnerable children are also needed.
Highlights
Child abuse and neglect is a global concern with devastating consequences, including poor school performance, chronic diseases, HIV, mental health issues, injuries and suicide [1,2,3,4]
This paper presents new and empirical findings on physical abuse, alcohol-related physical abuse, and alcohol-related neglect among children living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda
The findings can be used to generate support for more in-depth research of this understudied topic. This is the first paper, to our knowledge, that quantifies the prevalence of physical abuse, alcohol-related physical abuse, and alcohol-related neglect among youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda and in the broader region
Summary
Child abuse and neglect is a global concern with devastating consequences, including poor school performance, chronic diseases, HIV, mental health issues, injuries and suicide [1,2,3,4]. In 2014 alone, an estimated one billion children globally were exposed to child abuse and violence [1]. In a recent systematic review, Africa was identified to have among the highest levels of child exposure to overall violence with a past-year prevalence of 50% [1]. Other estimates of physical and sexual child abuse in Africa are very high, at 64% [5,6]. Research has shown that the burden of child abuse and neglect, in terms of prevalence and economic burden, is the heaviest in low- and middle-income countries [7].
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