Alcohol-Related Physical Abuse of Children in the Slums of Kampala, Uganda

Monica H. Swahn, Rachel E. Culbreth, Catherine A. Staton, Shannon R. Self-Brown and Rogers Kasirye
Additional contact information
Monica H. Swahn: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Rachel E. Culbreth: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Catherine A. Staton: Duke University Medical Center, Duke Global Health Institute and Department of Emergency Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27703, USA
Shannon R. Self-Brown: School of Public Health, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA
Rogers Kasirye: Uganda Youth Development Link, Sir Appollo Kaggwa Rd, Box 12659, Kampala, Uganda

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-13

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 ( ? 2 = 79.18, df = 1, p < 0.0001) and alcohol-related physical abuse ( ? 2 = 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.

Keywords: international health; child physical abuse and neglect; alcohol use; alcohol use initiation; urban; slums (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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