ADVERSE EFFECTS OF CHILD NEGLECT IN A KENYAN PERI-URBAN CONTEXT: EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES

The association between child neglect and psychological trauma in children is well established however, this link infrequently acknowledges that neglect is often accompanied by other forms of abuse such as sexual, physical,... [ view full abstract ]

The association between child neglect and psychological trauma in children is well established however, this link infrequently acknowledges that neglect is often accompanied by other forms of abuse such as sexual, physical, denied access to health and education. Exposure to child maltreatment affects boys and girls differently with more severe effects on girls than boys.  There are more boys than girls in children institutions and this is largely attributed to cultural, traditional values and perception on parenting.  Traditionally boys will demand an inheritance while girls are considered more useful at home such as helping with household chores. To establish the effects of neglect, a descriptive study was conducted among 52 children in four Charitable Institutions in Kiambu County.  Data was collected using Questionnaires administered to children aged 10-14years, Focus Group Discussions were held with the house mothers and an interview with the institution heads. The study findings indicated that the major cause of neglect is death of parents with a score of 62%.  The effects of child neglect included nightmares with the perpetrator as the object of abuse at 60%, lack of trust (with 36% scoring always, 28% often and 22% sometimes), denied access to health care with 48% and impaired concentration (42% scoring often and 40% sometimes). Effective intervention strategies reported included re-union with the family, access to health care, education and provision of basic needs emerged the top four interventions.  Based on this study re-union and re-integration with the family is the single most important form of help for children who have experienced child neglect.

KEY WORDS:  ABUSE, NEGLECT, CHILDREN, RE-UNION, PSYCHOLOGICAL-TRAUMA