Epidemiological Profile of Child Victims of Abuse: Case of the City of Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Purpose: Better prevention of child abuse requires knowledge of risk factors and situations. The general objective of this study was to determine the relative frequency of child abuse in Yaoundé and to draw its epidemiological profile.
 Methodology: the researchers conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019, i.e., 5 years, in 4 referral hospitals in Yaoundé. All records of victims of abuse under the age of 18 years were included. The data collected were analyzed using Epi-info TM version 7.2 software. Ethical clearance was obtained to conduct our study.
 Findings: Of the 19,187 usable records, child abuse victims represented 0.68% (132). Most of the victims were female (121; 91.7%), under 11 years of age (106; 80.3%), middle siblings (46; 35.0%) and HIV infection was the most common medical history at 17.4% (23). The accompanying person for the first consultation was their mother (72/132; 54.5%). Four (3.0%) children had lost both parents. The main antecedent related to the legal guardian was HIV seropositivity, 70.2% (66/94).
 Conclusion: Child abuse, far from being negligible, concerned primarily girls under 11 years of age. HIV infection was a factor found in both the child victim and the legal guardian in our context.
 Recommendations: Pay particular attention to children outside marriage or living in a blended family. Encourage societal debates around the abuse suffered by children.