Analyzing and improving national and local child protection data in Nepal: A mixed methods study using 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data and interviews with 18 organizations

Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents in Asia Pacific countries during COVID-19: Focus on disadvantaged populations

BACKGROUND

Mobility restrictions and economic downfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of child maltreatment, including increased risk for violent discipline use by parents.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents against children in Asia Pacific countries.

PARTICIPANTS & SETTINGS

This secondary data analysis included 7765 parents with children 6-18 years old in eight Asia Pacific countries.

METHODS

24 potential determinants were identified, including household demographic factors, parents' psychosocial status, and livelihood changes. The dependent variable was parental use of violent discipline (physical, severe physical, psycho-social aggression, and any violent discipline). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 41 % of households reported violent discipline. Parental demographic characteristics that were positively related to use of violent discipline were living in rural areas, not being a household head, female sex, age younger than 35 years, and large family size. Poor parental mental health status, loss of job or reduced income due to COVID-19, lack of food at household level, parent engagement in petty trade, and owning a business also predicted violent discipline. Mandatory curfew and receiving pandemic-related education materials were also positive predictors.

CONCLUSION

Some socio-demographic factors, economic hardship due to COVID-19, and poor mental health status of parents are associated with the use of violent discipline against children in the Asia Pacific region. These results highlight several potential target areas for child protection interventions by governmental and non-profit organizations, including economic, social, and mental health interventions.

Anthropometric Assessment of Nepali Children Institutionalized in Orphanages

Nepal is among the world’s poorest countries, and it is the third-poorest country in the South Asian region. Asia has the largest number of orphans in the world; in Nepal there are around 13,281 orphan children. The objective of this study is to evaluate the growth status of institutionalized children in Nepal through the analyses of anthropometric measures. The sample was Nepalese children aged 4 to 17, obtained from two different orphanages: in the first one, children with physical and mental disabilities coexist with children without any conditions. In the second one, there were no subjects with disabilities. Significant evidence of an association between mental and physical disability in institutionalized children and undernutrition (wasting and stunting) was found in this study. There is also weak but significant evidence of a relationship between underweight and being male. The study could help reaching a better understanding of growth status of institutionalized children in Nepal.