Citation

Berrington NR, Green RJ, Branfield AS, Gear JS. S. Afr. Med. J. 1986; 69(12): 759-760.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, South African Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3715651

Abstract

A hospital-based, descriptive study to determine the incidence of child abuse and 'child deprivation' in the community served by Coronation Hospital was conducted. Clinical records from 1 January 1979 to 30 June 1984 were consulted, and statistics extracted. A questionnaire was distributed among the medical staff involved with the diagnosis and management of child abuse. A total of 9 821 case summaries were analysed and a total of 23 cases of confirmed child abuse were recorded during this period, giving an incidence of 2.48 confirmed cases of abuse per 1 000 paediatric admissions. Of the children admitted 301.8/1 000 were found to be less than the 3rd percentile for both weight for age and height for age, and were classified as 'deprived' in terms of this study.

Language: en