The childhood sexual abuse among youth in three Asian cities: Taipei, Shanghai, and Hanoi

Asia Pac J Public Health. 2015 Mar;27(2):NP1566-77. doi: 10.1177/1010539512471968. Epub 2013 Jan 22.

Abstract

The article describes the prevalence and risk factors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among youth in Hanoi, Shanghai, and Taipei. Data used in this study are from the Three-City Asian Study of Adolescents and Youth, 2006-2007. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were used. The self-reported lifetime prevalence of CSA was 5.2% in Taipei, 1.3% in Shanghai, and 0.5% in Hanoi. The overall prevalence was 2.2% for females and 1.7% for males. The average age of first CSA was 10.5 years. Household instability, migration before age 14, and low maternal warmth were found to be positively associated with CSA, whereas discussing problems with father and being close to mother were negatively associated with CSA, after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Our findings suggested the importance of prevention programs for preteen aged children, public education to raise awareness, and further prospective studies to identify various risk markers for CSA in Asia.

Keywords: adolescent health; child health; epidemiology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Asia, Eastern
  • Asian People
  • Cities*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Offenses* / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult