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International Journal of Public Health

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01-06-2013 | Review

The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: J. Barth, L. Bermetz, E. Heim, S. Trelle, T. Tonia

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2013

Abstract

Objectives

Systematic reviews on prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse (CSA) worldwide included studies with adult participants referring on a period of abuse of about 50 years. Therefore we aimed to describe the current prevalence of CSA, taking into account geographical region, type of abuse, level of country development and research methods.

Methods

We included studies published between 2002 and 2009 that reported CSA in children below 18 years. We performed a random effects meta-analysis and analyzed moderator variables by meta-regression.

Results

Fifty-five studies from 24 countries were included. According to four predefined types of sexual abuse, prevalence estimates ranged from 8 to 31 % for girls and 3 to 17 % for boys. Nine girls and 3 boys out of 100 are victims of forced intercourse. Heterogeneity between primary studies was high in all analyses.

Conclusions

Our results based on most recent data confirm results from previous reviews with adults. Surveys in children offer most recent estimates of CSA. Reducing heterogeneity between studies might be possible by standardized measures to make data more meaningful in international comparisons.

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Title: The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: J. Barth
L. Bermetz
E. Heim
S. Trelle
T. Tonia
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0426-1

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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