Violence against children with disabilities in a rural population of Upper Egypt: a community-based study

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BACKGROUND: Children with disabilities face heightened violence risks, particularly in resource-limited settings. Despite global evidence, data on violence against children with disabilities in rural Upper Egypt remain scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, types, and family-related risk factors of violence against children with disabilities in this region. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted (December 2023-March 2024) in two rural Upper Egypt villages. Using a multistage random sampling, 213 young adults (aged 18-24 years) with disabilities were included. Data were collected using validated structured interviews (ISPCAN tool) and focus group discussions. RESULTS: The sample comprised 54% males and 46% females. Around 50% primarily had intellectual, and 33.8% had physical disabilities. Emotional violence was nearly universal (93.1 in males, 100% in females), followed by physical (73.6-78.6%) and sexual violence (21.1-26.4%). Females experienced higher violence rates (50% vs. 9.6% males, p < 0.001). Parental drug abuse (22.6% males vs. 10.2% females, p = 0.02) and low socioeconomic status (59.1% vs. 43.9%, p = 0.03) were significant risk factors. Intellectual disabilities correlated with elevated sexual violence Perpetrators included parents (35.4-41.8%) and unrelated individuals (44.3-60%). CONCLUSIONS: Systemic violence against children with disabilities in rural Upper Egypt was pervasive, driven by poverty, low parental education, and gender disparities. Interventions must address familial and community-level factors, including economic support, parental education, and stricter enforcement of child protection laws.

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