Citation

Nathan L, Woon TH. Child Abuse Negl. 1981; 5(3): 241-248.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the incidence and other factors associated with child abuse in an urban population in Malaysia. Nineteen cases of child abuse (16 physical and 3 sexual abuse) were diagnosed during a prospective 2-year study with a service-orientated project conducted at the University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur. Girls outnumbered boys by more than 3:1. Ten of the children were less than 3 years old while five were between 6 and 13 years of age. A significant number (4) were children of mixed parentage, while equally significant was the 45% incidence in nuclear families. There was one death and two cases of permanent brain damage. Apart from parents, who were the main abusers, the other abusers in this series were baby-minders and employers. Multiple stress factors were identified and their prevalence in the 19 cases are discussed. All 19 cases were managed using a modified form of the case conference system. It is believed that these 19 cases represent only a fraction of the true incidence of child abuse in the area served by the University Hospital. Possible reasons for the low rate of identification of cases are discussed and measures to remedy the deficiencies suggested.