Physical abuse injuries in grade 7 and 9 students: A cross - sectional study in 8 secondary schools in Bac Giang province in 2024

Abstract

A cross - sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 2326 students was conducted at eight secondary schools in Bac Giang province to describe the current situation of physical abuse injuries in grade 7 and 9 students and identify some related factors. Students selfadministered the survey on tablets through a questionnaire on KoboToolbox software. The results of the study showed that physical abuse was 70.7%, injuries in students due to abuse were 35.6% and 50.33%, respectively, and scratches/bruises/redness (46.63%). Females had more scratches/bruises/redness than males OR = 1.46 (95% CI: 1.2 - 1.78), students with mild abuse had more injuries than severe ones such as scratches/bruises/redness OR = 3.4 (95% CI: 2.6 - 4.48). Black eyes/nosebleeds/ bleeding lips OR = 4.53 (95% CI: 2.32 - 8.81), bruises/sprains were higher in severe abuse OR = 4.62 (95% CI: 1.4 - 15.26). Physical abuse is highly prevalent, and injuries from physical abuse to children are alarmingly high. The study results contribute evidence to the urgent need for child abuse prevention in Vietnam to receive more attention and promotion.