Burden, consequences and associate factors of childhood maltreatment in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Demewoz Kefale; Tigabu Munye Aytenew; Yohannes Tesfahun; Amare Simegn; Mahilet Wondim; Shegaw Zeleke; Solomon Demis; Gashaw Kerebeh; Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen; Habtamu Shimels Hailemeskel; Muluken Chanie Agimas; Mastewal Endalew; Worku Necho Asferie; Amare Kassaw; Yeshiambaw Eshetie; Sintayehu Asnakew

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36776

Burden, consequences and associate factors of childhood maltreatment in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Heliyon. 2024 Sep 3;10(17):e36776. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36776. eCollection 2024 Sep 15.

Authors

Demewoz Kefale¹, Tigabu Munye Aytenew², Yohannes Tesfahun³, Amare Simegn⁴, Mahilet Wondim⁵, Shegaw Zeleke², Solomon Demis⁶, Gashaw Kerebeh¹, Gebrehiwot Berie Mekonnen¹, Habtamu Shimels Hailemeskel⁶, Muluken Chanie Agimas⁷, Mastewal Endalew⁸, Worku Necho Asferie⁶, Amare Kassaw¹, Yeshiambaw Eshetie², Sintayehu Asnakew⁹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
² Department of Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Emergency and Critical Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Reproductive Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
⁵ Department of Midwifery, South Gondar Zone Health Office, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
⁶ Department of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
⁷ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
⁸ Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
⁹ Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Child maltreatment is any type of abuse or child negligence which results the concrete or prospective hurt for those under age of eighteen. It is a global issue which severely endangered children's physical, emotional, behavioral, developmental and mental well-being for immediate and later in life. Although, its magnitude and devastating burden are difficult to comprehend, much remains to be done to know its prevalence and comprehensive impact. This meta-analysis and comprehensive review will provide important light on the burden, consequences, and contributing factors for child maltreatment.

Methods: This meta-analysis and comprehensive review was coded at Prospero number of CRD42024503799. Universal online databanks including PubMed, Cochrane, Google, Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and Web of Science and Global Health were used to search for articles. Microsoft Excel was used for data extraction, and STATA17 was used to analyze this systematic review and meta-analysis. A random effect model exploration was employed when heterogeneity among included studies were evidenced.

Results: The pooled prevalence of childhood maltreatment was 57.0 % (95 % CI = 32.00, 83.00). Included studies revealed that childhood maltreatment has multiple child health-related consequences. Being female (AOR = 2.94, 95 % CI: 1.48, 4.41), being young (AOR = 1.22, 95%CI: 1.09, 3.35), paternal illiteracy (AOR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.012, 3.302) and have an open family discussion about sexual matters (AOR = 0.381 (95%CI: 0.121, 0.884) were considerably associated with child maltreatment.

Conclusion: This finding publicized that the burden and multiple consequences of childhood maltreatment need much attention. Childhood maltreatment has both immediate and life time consequences for children later in life. Being female, being young, having illiterate fathers, and open family discussion about sexual matters were associated factors of child maltreatment.

Keywords: Children; Ethiopia; Maltreatment; Systematic review and meta-analysis.