Citation

Al-Eissa MA, Saleheen HN, Al-Wallan NS, AlKashan MY, AlSubaie NJ, Almuneef MA. Violence Vict. 2018; 33(5): 855-870.

Affiliation

King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Springer Publishing)

DOI

10.1891/0886-6708.VV-D-17-00018

PMID

30567869

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a public health problem that has been found to be linked to negative health outcomes. Data on CSA in Saudi Arabia are limited, and there are many gaps in research in this field. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of sexual abuse among children in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional, national survey (N = 16,010) utilizing International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse Screening Tool Children's Version was conducted at secondary high schools in Saudi Arabia. Participant's mean age was 16.8 ± 0.9 years, and 50.8% were boys. Sixteen percent of the participants reported exposure to any type of CSA during their lives. Boys and those who lived with step-parent were more likely to be sexually abused compared to those who didn't (p <.05). Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that gender was the predictor significantly associated with CSA. Evidence-based prevention programs targeting mainly the high-risk groups should be implemented.

© 2018 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

Saudi Arabia; cross-sectional; sexual abuse; step-parent