Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003)
Introduction: Child abuse is a social problem with far-reaching consequences. Serious underreporting of cases occurs, and no studies could be found which investigates the South African context of the problem. In this study we aimed to determine the profile of victims of fatal child abuse in the Sout...
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| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2007-10-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/741 |
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| author | Geon Kotze Ingeborg Jäger Lucille van Schalkwyk Gina J Joubert |
| author_facet | Geon Kotze Ingeborg Jäger Lucille van Schalkwyk Gina J Joubert |
| author_sort | Geon Kotze |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Child abuse is a social problem with far-reaching consequences. Serious underreporting of cases occurs, and no studies could be found which investigates the South African context of the problem. In this study we aimed to determine the profile of victims of fatal child abuse in the Southern Free State.
Methods: All child deaths of children 10 years and younger in the period 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2003 were identified in the register of deaths at the SA Police Mortuary, Bloemfontein. The reports of these deaths were evaluated to identify possible cases of fatal child abuse. Irrelevant reports were eliminated until a group of possible cases of fatal child abuse were identified. In cases where there was uncertainty about the cause of death, a registrar in Forensic Medicine was consulted. In some cases she advised that a history be obtained from police reports. Cases which could not be confirmed in this way were included in a so-called grey area. Nineteen cases were identified, and a further 4 placed in the grey area.
Results: Of the 19 cases, the majority were female (14). The median age of cases was 2 years. Cases showed an even distribution regarding race. No patterns regarding annual or monthly distribution were found. Most victims, 73.7% (14 of 19 cases), were of normal weight and no victims suffered from malnutrition. Head injuries were the most common cause of death (63.2%) followed by multiple injuries (21.2%).
Conclusion: If doctors are aware of the signs of child abuse cases can be identified early. In this way a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity can occur. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6725affbd6224e76a61711ea6117bc13 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2007-10-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-6725affbd6224e76a61711ea6117bc132025-08-20T03:47:11ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042007-10-0149910.1080/20786204.2007.10873631804Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003)Geon Kotze0Ingeborg Jäger1Lucille van Schalkwyk2Gina J Joubert3University of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateUniversity of the Free StateIntroduction: Child abuse is a social problem with far-reaching consequences. Serious underreporting of cases occurs, and no studies could be found which investigates the South African context of the problem. In this study we aimed to determine the profile of victims of fatal child abuse in the Southern Free State. Methods: All child deaths of children 10 years and younger in the period 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2003 were identified in the register of deaths at the SA Police Mortuary, Bloemfontein. The reports of these deaths were evaluated to identify possible cases of fatal child abuse. Irrelevant reports were eliminated until a group of possible cases of fatal child abuse were identified. In cases where there was uncertainty about the cause of death, a registrar in Forensic Medicine was consulted. In some cases she advised that a history be obtained from police reports. Cases which could not be confirmed in this way were included in a so-called grey area. Nineteen cases were identified, and a further 4 placed in the grey area. Results: Of the 19 cases, the majority were female (14). The median age of cases was 2 years. Cases showed an even distribution regarding race. No patterns regarding annual or monthly distribution were found. Most victims, 73.7% (14 of 19 cases), were of normal weight and no victims suffered from malnutrition. Head injuries were the most common cause of death (63.2%) followed by multiple injuries (21.2%). Conclusion: If doctors are aware of the signs of child abuse cases can be identified early. In this way a significant decrease in mortality and morbidity can occur.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/741child abusemortality |
| spellingShingle | Geon Kotze Ingeborg Jäger Lucille van Schalkwyk Gina J Joubert Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003) South African Family Practice child abuse mortality |
| title | Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003) |
| title_full | Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003) |
| title_fullStr | Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003) |
| title_short | Noodlottige kindermishandeling: 'n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die Suid-Vrystaat (1995–2003) |
| title_sort | noodlottige kindermishandeling n literatuuroorsig en die profiel in die suid vrystaat 1995 2003 |
| topic | child abuse mortality |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/741 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT geonkotze noodlottigekindermishandelingnliteratuuroorsigendieprofielindiesuidvrystaat19952003 AT ingeborgjager noodlottigekindermishandelingnliteratuuroorsigendieprofielindiesuidvrystaat19952003 AT lucillevanschalkwyk noodlottigekindermishandelingnliteratuuroorsigendieprofielindiesuidvrystaat19952003 AT ginajjoubert noodlottigekindermishandelingnliteratuuroorsigendieprofielindiesuidvrystaat19952003 |