The Prevalence And Influencing Factors For Child Neglect In A Rural Area Of Anhui Province-A Two Year Follow-up Study

Background: Child neglect has been a significant public health problem in China.The purpose of the follow-up study was to explore the longitudinal trend of child neglect in rural area of Anhui Province,to examine the different characteristic of child neglect in terms of gender,age,left-behind,and to identify the associated factors of child neglect.Methods: The study selected data from a prospective study of children's mental health in China,which was conducted in Changfeng County.This study contained a baseline survey and two follow-up assessments that began in December 2009 and continued annually until 2011.In the baseline,the random cluster sampling approach was applied to identify 5 primary schools and 3 middle schools to participate the survey.1,047 children in grades 3,4 and 7(at baseline)were invited to take part in the follow-up assessments as part of the prospective study.914 children participated in the first year follow-up and 816 participated in the last assessment.Generalized estimating equations(GEEs)were utilized to identify the risk and protective factors for child neglect.Results: The prevalence of child neglect was 67.8%,56.6% and 57.7% at the three assessments,respectively.There were 33.3%(272/816)children having consistent experienced neglect during three assessments,12.9%(105/816)children had not been neglect.Among 553 participants suffered from neglect at the first assessment,19.2%(106/553)children no longer met the diagnosis at the second follow-up assessment.263 participants did not experience neglect at the first assessment,60.1%(158/263)children met the diagnosis in the next two assessments.During the three assessments, the difference of child neglect between the genders was statistically significant only in the baseline survey and the prevalence of neglect was higher among boys than girls.The difference of age between neglect group and non-neglect group was not significant.The rate of neglect in children with siblings was higher than that child without siblings.The higher rate of neglect was observed in children who had parental marital disruptions and the difference was significant except the first follow up.The prevalence of child neglect was higher among the left-behind children,and the difference was significant in the follow-up assessments.The results of GEEs showed that child neglect was negatively associated with age,quality of life and positive coping styles;positively associated with male gender,siblings,parental marital disruption,left-behind status,severe family dysfunction and negative coping styles.The association between neglect with annual family income,self-esteem,social anxiety and depression was not found.Conclusion: Our studies detected the decreased prevalence of child neglect across the three assessments.Additionally,some socio-demographic,psychosocial and family risk factors of child neglect were identified,which will be helpful for child neglect prevention strategies development and implementation in China.