Correlates of Lifetime Physical Abuse Among Schoolchildren Aged 15 Years in Post-communist Albania

Bibliographic Data

ID22067221
AuthorsGentiana Qirjako (0000-0003-3179-9006, University of Medicine Tirana, corresponding author), Qamil Dika (University of Medicine Tirana), Iris Mone (University of Medicine Tirana), Xheladin Draçini (University of Medicine Tirana), Loreta Kuneshka (University of Medicine Tirana), Enver Roshi (0000-0002-4257-7583, University of Medicine Tirana), Genc Burazeri (0000-0003-4813-4000, University of Medicine Tirana)
Year2021
Volume9
Pages607493-607493
Publication date2021-07-28
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2021.607493
PMID34395349
OpenAlexW3186195957
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited16

Aim: Our aim was to assess the prevalence and correlates of lifetime physical abuse among schoolchildren in Albania, a post-communist country in South Eastern Europe which is currently undergoing a rapid socioeconomic transition. Methods: The third wave of Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC) in Albania was conducted in 2017–18 including a nationwide representative sample of 1,708 schoolchildren aged 15 years (54% girls; response rate: 95%). Children were asked to report on lifetime physical abuse and a wide range of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle factors and health status characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the independent association of lifetime physical abuse with covariates. Results: Overall, the prevalence of lifetime physical abuse was about 32% (30% in boys vs. 32% in girls). In multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models, independent positive correlates of lifetime physical abuse among Albanian schoolchildren included lifetime smoking (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.2), lifetime alcohol consumption (OR = 1.6, 95%CI = 1.2–2.1), irritability (OR [dailyvs.rarely/never] = 2.0, 95%CI = 1.3–3.0), and especially lifetime witnessed domestic violence (OR = 4.2, 95%CI = 2.2–7.9). Conversely, a higher score on life satisfaction was inversely related to lifetime physical abuse ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our study provides novel evidence about the magnitude and selected independent correlates of lifetime physical abuse among schoolchildren in Albania, a country still embedded in an everlasting transition which is associated with tremendous changes in family structure, community links and societal norms and values. Irrespective of a wide range of sociodemographic factors and health characteristics, lifetime smoking, alcohol consumption, irritability, a lower score on life satisfaction and, particularly, witnessed domestic violence were strong and significant correlates of lifetime physical abuse among Albanian schoolchildren aged 15 years

Alcohol abuse · Anxiety · Child abuse · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Irritability · Logistic regression · Physical abuse · Poison control · Population · Psychiatry · Socioeconomic status · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child and Adolescent Health · Demography · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Gerontology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access