a

Violence in the growth and development of children

Authors

  • Cynthia Dinora Gómez Alfonso

    Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (MIDES), Uruguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.28917/ism.2019-v3-122
Keywords:
domestic violence, growth retardation, language delay
Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify if children living at homes where there is violence against women, have an increased risk of growth retardation and developmental disturbances after the intervention of CCC project in 2011-2012.

Cross sectional study, descriptive and analytical of 205 women. The main variables are violence against women, delayed growth and development. Growth was assessed by WHO patterns, and Development was assessed with a screening tool from the Pontifical University of Chile. The strength of association and the risk was estimated through multivariate logistic regression binary model and expressed by odds ratio (OR: 95%).

11.7% of women experience some form of domestic violence. Women exposed more often had an emotional state of risk (p <0.001), greater food insecurity (p=0.038), smoking (p=0.004), drug use (p<0.001) and worst parenting practices (p<0.001). Birth weight (Violence=2754±711; Nonviolence=3116 ± 521; p = 0.004) as well as the length of gestation (Violence=37.4±2.8; Nonviolence=38.6±1.6; p=0.005) were significantly lower. 25% of the children of women exposed to violence showed growth retardation at the end of the program; this figure fell to 4.4% in unexposed children. The score Z height/age (violence=-1.0±1.4; Nonviolence=-0.043±1.3) and head circumference/age (Violence=-0.17±1.0; Nonviolence=0.43±1.3) were significantly lower. The children of victims of violence have a four times greater risk of growth retardation OR: 4.39 (95% CI 1.12 to 17.26) compared to unexposed children. Half of children exposed to violence showed delayed language development (50% Violence; Nonviolence 6.9%; p=0.01). These children showed 44 times more chances of presenting language delay OR: 44 (95% CI 3.44 to 562.10) compared to those who did not suffer violence.

Violence against women is a major risk factor that affects the normal growth and development of children. It is vital to promote healthy coexistence, to work on gender equality and to establish an intersectoral policy that promotes equal rights and comprehensively treats victims of violence.

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Author Biography
  1. Cynthia Dinora Gómez Alfonso, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social (MIDES), Uruguay

    Licenciada en Nutrición por la Universidad de la República. Magíster en Nutrición por la Universidad Católica del Uruguay. Posgrado de Herramientas para el Estudio del Comportamiento Alimentario del Consumidor. Supervisor en el Proyecto Canelones Crece Contigo, Uruguay.

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Published
2019-12-14
Issue
Vol. 3 (2019): Las agendas del desarrollo social en el MERCOSUR
Section
Original Article

How to Cite

Violence in the growth and development of children. (2019). Journal MERCOSUR of Social Policies, 3, 122-138. https://doi.org/10.28917/ism.2019-v3-122