Peer-reviewed article
Prevalence of intrafamilial child maltreatment in a school in Quito, Ecuador.
Carrera Yánez MJ, Galarza Rivadeneira KX ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study measured how common different types of child maltreatment are among students at one school in Quito, Ecuador. Researchers asked about physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, and whether mothers or fathers were involved. Physical abuse was the most common form, followed by neglect, while sexual abuse was less frequent but still present. Mothers were more often linked to neglect, while fathers were more often linked to physical abuse.
Key points
- Physical abuse showed the highest prevalence among maltreatment types assessed
- Moderate levels of neglect were found
- Psychological abuse occurred less frequently but remains a significant concern
- Sexual abuse was present but low in prevalence
- Maternal figures were more frequently associated with neglect; paternal figures more often linked to physical abuse
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study from a single school in one city, so the findings may not represent all children in Ecuador or other contexts. The study does not evaluate whether any intervention reduces maltreatment, only describes current prevalence.
Abstract
Introduction Intrafamilial child maltreatment poses a serious risk to children's and adolescents' physical, psychological, and sexual integrity. This study analyzed the prevalence of this phenomenon among students of the Enrique Proaño Educational Institution in Quito, Ecuador, during the 2024-2025 period. Methods A quantitative, descriptive design was used to assess the dimensions of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, considering the involvement of maternal and paternal figures. Results Physical abuse showed the highest prevalence among the maltreatment types assessed, followed by moderate levels of neglect. Psychological abuse occurred less frequently but remains a significant concern, and sexual abuse, although low in prevalence, was still present. The maternal figure was more frequently associated with neglect, whereas the paternal figure was more often linked to physical abuse. Discussion These patterns highlight the need for prevention and intervention strategies tailored to both the type of maltreatment and the parental figure involved.