Rudina Çumashi1, Entela Neziri1, Ervisa Demollari2, Romina Hala1, Gentiana Qirjako1,3
1Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania;
2Health Care ServicesOperator;
3Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine, Tirana, Albania.
Background: Child maltreatment is a global problem with enormous immediate and life-long consequences. It causes suffering to children and families, and it’s associated with delayed cognitive development, poor school performance, mental health problems, increased health-risk behaviours, revictimization and the perpetration of violence. The Health Behaviour in School –aged Children survey (HBSC) is a school based survey which asses many aspects of young people’s life. It explains how determinants and health behaviours in childhood and adolescent lead to ongoing physical and mental health problems in adulthood.
Methods:HBSC is based on self-administration of questionnaires by young people in classes. During the months of May-June 2018, HBSC study was conducted in all 12 prefectures of Albania among 4833 children (51.8% girls and 48.2% boys) aged 11, 13 and 15 years.Measurement of child maltreatment, restricted only to young people aged 15, included assessment of lifetime and/or past month physical and emotional abuse.
Results:One in four young people (26%) reported to have been physically abused once or twice in lifetime, whereas 6% had experienced physical abuse many times during their life span. About 11% of the young people reported to have been physically hurt by their parents or other adults in their households during the past 12 months. There were no significant gender-differences in both questions. The prevalence of lifetime emotional abuse was 16%, with a significant difference between boys and girls (13% vs. 18%). The overall prevalence of past year emotional abuse was about 9%, without evidence of any significant difference between boys and girls.
Conclusion: Preventing child maltreatment requires a multisectoral approach. Effective programmes are those that support parents and teach positive parenting skills.The earlier such interventions occur in children’s lives, the greater the benefits to the child.There is an urgent need to implement these programs in Albania, under the guidance of both health and social professionals.
Keywords: Albania,child maltreatment, HBSC survey, young people.