Abstract

CARPIO GESTA, M.ª Luisa; REDONDO GALLEGO, M.ª Jesús  and  BALLESTER I DIEZ, Ferrán. Mortality and hospital admissions by violence among children under 15 years in the Valencian Autonomous Community (2007-2011). Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2016, vol.18, n.69, pp.25-33. ISSN 1139-7632.

Introduction: violence against children is never justifiable and can be prevented by acting on the factors that trigger violent behaviors. Knowing the magnitude and nature of violence against children allows us to undertake the changes that will contribute to reduce their frequency and severity. Methods: in this paper, mortality and hospital admissions due to violence among children under 15 years from 2007 to 2011 in the Valencian Autonomous Community is analysed. Results: 12 deaths and 156 hospital admissions were registered. Boys' deaths were three times as frequent as those of girls. The deaths were more frequent in children under one year, followed by 10-14 years. The six cases of suicide occurred in the group of 10-14 years and the methods used were: hanging, strangulation or suffocation; and jumping from a high place. There were twice as many killings in children of 0-9 years. Girls were hospitalized due to violence twice as often as boys. Hospital admissions were 7 times as high in the group of 10-14 years, 3 times as high in foreigners, twice as high in residents in rural areas and twice as high if there was a risk of social exclusion, with these differences being statistically significant. Hospital admissions from self-inflicted violence were twice as high (attempted suicide with drugs) as those caused by assault (beating, stabbing and rape). Conclusions: the number of cases found is numerically small but of great epidemiological and public health significance. Axes of inequality in health due to violence in childhood are highlighted as well as the need of improving the notification of cases and the coordination in all areas related to childcare. Linking information sources and returning the information to professionals is relevant as well as training them.

Keywords : Child abuse; Domestic violence; Infant mortality; Children hospitalization.

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