Epidemiological study of negative childhood experiences in three provinces of Turkey

This study aimed to determine the frequencies of negative childhood experiences in the past years and negative childhood experiences throughout life in 11, 13 and 16 year-age group children who attended school in three separate provinces.

Approval was obtained from the provincial National Education Directorates and educated investigators applied the ISPCAN child abuse screening tool questionnaire form which measures negative childhood events experienced at home in children. Statistical analysis was performed with chi-square test using SPSS 16.0 program. Approval from the ethics committee was obtained from İzmir Tepecik Education and Research Hospital Chief Physician Office Local Ethics Committee (29/11/2011-29).

The study was conducted with 7 540 children in İzmir, Denizli and Zonguldak. The frequency of psychological and physical negative childhood experiences and neglect throughout life was found to be 70.5%, 58.3% and 42.6% in the 11, 13 and 16-year age groups, respectively; the frequencies in the last one year was found to be 62.7%, 46.0% and 37.5%, respectively. Psychological negative childhood experiences were found with a higher rate in children who lived in urban areas compared to children who lived in rural areas. Neglect was found with a higher rate in girls and physical negative childhood experiences were found with a higher rate in boys. The frequency of negative childhood experiences increased proportionally with the age of the child independent of the type of experience.

The frequencies of negative childhood experiences for the last one year and for the life-long period were determined using ISPCAN child abuse screening tool in Turkey for the first time in three provinces and in such a large population. The frequency of negative childhood experiences related with child abuse and neglect screened were found to be 42%-70% and it was elucidated that we are confronted with a very significant public health problem and adult health risk in these regions of Turkey.