Trends and demographic differences in interpersonal violence against children in sub-Saharan Africa: findings from the 1990–2019 Global Burden of Disease Study

Trends and demographic differences in interpersonal violence against children in sub-Saharan Africa: findings from the 1990–2019 Global Burden of Disease Study

Objectives To analyse the past 30-year trends in mortality and morbidity of interpersonal violence against children, its demographic distribution and correlation with specific risk factors.Design Ecological study at the country and regional level.Setting 46 countries and 4 subregions of sub-Saharan...

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Main Authors: Dan J Stein, Berihun Assefa Dachew, Manasi Kumar, Shafiu Mohammed, Andrew T Olagunju, Jennifer Rickard, Deborah Oyine Aluh, Muktar Beshir Ahmed, Olayinka Stephen Ilesanmi, Oluwafemi Atanda Adeagbo, Soraya Seedat, Segun Emmanuel Ibitoye, Onome Bright Oghenetega, Kedir Hussein Abegaz, Lucie Laflamme, Mathilde Sengoelge, Michael Ekholuenetale, Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe, Richard Gyan Aboagye, Migbar Mekonnen Sibhat, Mustapha Immurana, Jacques Lukenze Tamuzi, Obasanjo Afolabi Bolarinwa, Hubert Amu, Robert Kokou Dowou, Ashenafi Kibret Sendekie, Gebisa Guyasa Kabito, Sergio Nhassengo, Malizgani Paul Chavula, Yonatan Solomon, Mesfin Gebrehiwot, Ahmed Nuru Muhamed, Amadou Barrow, Mesfin Abebe, Temesgen Mohammed Toma, Osaretin Christabel Okonji, Sergio Keita Nhassengo, Yohannes Habtegiorgis Abate, Olumide Abiodun, Kenneth Setorwu Adde, Abiola Victor Adepoju, Timothy Olukunle Aladelusi, Idowu Thomas Aruleba, Getnet Melaku Ayele, Hameed Akande Bashiru, Berecha Hundessa Demessa, Isaac Oluwafemi Dipeolu, Temitope Cyrus Ekundayo, Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka, Miglas Welay Gebregergis, Teferi Gebru Gebremeskel, Urge Gerema, Ebisa Zerihun Gindaba, Teklehaimanot Gereziher Haile, Demisu Zenbaba Heyi, Chidozie Declan Iwu, Assefa N Iyasu, Rebuma Sorsa Jeben, Alelign Tasew Jema, Charity Ehimwenma Joshua, Kehinde Kazeem Kanmodi, Molla Asnake Kebede, Emmanuel Manu, Tesfahun Mekene Meto, Mathewos M Mekonnen, Hadush Negash Meles, Tadesse Misgana, Mustapha Mohammed, Ogochukwu Janet Nzoputam, Isaac Iyinoluwa Olufadewa, Gideon Olamilekan Oluwatunase, Verner N Orish, Afeez Abolarinwa Salami, Elvis Enowbeyang Tarkang, Edosa Geta Tesfaye Gta, Aniefiok John Udoakang, Abate Dargie Wubetu, Mathilde J Sengoelge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-04-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/4/e083070.full
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Summary:Objectives To analyse the past 30-year trends in mortality and morbidity of interpersonal violence against children, its demographic distribution and correlation with specific risk factors.Design Ecological study at the country and regional level.Setting 46 countries and 4 subregions of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA): Central, Eastern, Southern and Western.Participants Children aged 0–19 years old.Primary and secondary outcome measures Trends in mortality rates and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributed to interpersonal violence injuries in children; correlation between socio-demographic index (SDI)/alcohol consumption per capita and child interpersonal violence.Results Deaths and DALYs per 100 000 population from child violence-related injuries in SSA declined from 4.0 (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 3.3–4.9) to 3.1 (95% UI: 2.3 to 3.9) and 334.9 (95% UI: 276.4 to 407.7) to 260.3 (95% UI: 197.9 to 321.9) respectively from 1990 to 2019 (reductions of 22.5% and 22.3%). Southern SSA had the highest deaths/DALYs rates for each type of physical violence (sharp object/firearm/other) and Central SSA for sexual violence. Alcohol consumption correlated significantly with deaths and DALYs, but SDI showed a non-significant correlation.Conclusions Rates of child interpersonal violence deaths and DALYs decreased from 2009 to 2019 in SSA, driven by remarkable decreases in the Southern subregion. Understanding the determinants of these downward trends and implementation of policies targeting known risk factors like alcohol consumption may pave the way for enhanced child safety protection. Further curbing the disparities between countries and subregions necessitates long-term commitment to evidence-based action plans.
ISSN:2044-6055

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