Current status of neglect among children aged 3-6 years in rural areas of Urumqi, China and risk factors for child neglect

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the current status of neglect in children aged 3-6 years in the rural areas of Urumqi, China and risk factors for neglect. Methods Stratified random cluster sampling was performed to select 1 326 children, aged 3-6 years, from 6 kindergartens in the rural areas of Urumqi. A self-designed questionnaire and "Chinese Neglect Evaluation Questionnaire for Rural Children Aged 3-6 Years" were used for investigation. Results Of the 1326 children, the neglect rate was 51.89% (688 cases), and the degree of neglect was 49±6. There were significant differences in the neglect rate and the degree of neglect between the children in different age groups (P < 0.01). The single-parent families and the remarried families had significantly higher child neglect rate and degree of neglect than the families of three generations under one roof and the core families (P < 0.01). The children in left-behind status had a significantly higher degree of neglect (P < 0.01). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that younger children, mothers with low education level, employment status of the mother as a migrant worker, single-parent and remarried families, low-income families, and left-behind status were risk factors for child neglect (P < 0.05). Conclusions The neglect of children aged 3-6 years in the rural areas of Urumqi is serious, and more attention should be paid to younger children, children whose mothers with low education level, left-behind children, and children from single-parent families, remarried families and low-income families.