Determinants of child physical abuse in Guyana: Findings from the 2019 Guyana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with physical abuse against children in Guyana.

Methods: This study utilized nationally representative data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted in Guyana in 2019. The percentage of children who endured physical abuse was the primary outcome studied. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between the exposure variables and the outcome. The slope index of inequality (SII) and the concentration index (CIX) were calculated to assess inequalities in child physical abuse.

Results: In Guyana, 53.1% and 4.4% of children endured moderate and severe physical abuse, respectively. Children aged 24 months or older (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.29; 95% CI [1.33, 3.95]), living in the Interior (AOR 2.42; 95% CI [1.20, 4.87]), in households headed by females (AOR 2.32; 95% CI [1.47, 3.65]), whose mothers ever consumed alcohol (AOR 2.41; 95% CI [1.53, 3.79]) or had positive attitudes toward child physical abuse (AOR 4.37; 95% CI [2.07, 9.23]) were at higher risk of experiencing moderate physical abuse. The risk of severe physical abuse increased among children whose mothers had a positive attitude toward child physical punishment and decreased according to the mother's level of education. Important disparities were observed between boys and girls according to maternal education and geographic regions.

Conclusions: Children in Guyana who endured moderate physical abuse exceed 50% of the country's child population. Guyana needs to enact legislation that prohibits child physical abuse. Stringent enforcement is necessary to ensure Guyanese children do not continue to experience physical abuse.