Child deaths from family violence in Dakahlia and Damiatta Governorates, Egypt

Abstract 

This retrospective study evaluated 41 cases of child deaths child deaths of both sexes from family violence and autopsied at Mansoura Morgue of Forensic Medicine Institute from 1996 to 2005. According to their ages, children were divided into four groups as follow: <3years; 3–6years; 6–9years and 9–12years. Some socio-demographic parameters concerning the perpetrators were investigated such as level of education of fathers, parent marital status and residence. Also, the cause of violence and the manner of deaths were recorded. Results revealed that the highest incidence of children deaths was between 3 and 6years (39.0%) and the lowest incidence was between 9 and 12years (4.9%). The majority of perpetrators were males (75.62%); they comprised children fathers in 60.98%, while female perpetrators represented 24.39%; they comprised the children mothers in 7.32%. Fathers who lived in rural areas represented 75.6% and 24.4% in urban areas. Regarding the level of education of fathers of decedent children, 36.6% were illiterate, 17.1% were highly educated and 46.3% were less than high school education. The marital status of those parents were as follows: separated couples (51.2%), still married couples (22.0%); fathers with multiple wives (26.8%). Blunt trauma in abusive manner was the most common form (63.4%). It was concluded that some socio-demographic parameters are considered risk factors related to intrafamilial violence and it should be considered by Family Planning Programs to estimate the magnitude of this problem in our community on a large scale, offering psychological assessment and assurance for risky perpetrators aiming to prevent such fatal child abuse crimes.

Keywords: Child deaths, Family violence, Perpetrators, Filicide, Egypt