The Study of Familial History and Associated Risks of
Sexually Abused Children at Ramathibodi Hospital
Saythip Jengtee BSW*,
Palisara Augsusingha MD**, Chatchai Aimarom MD***,
Adisak Plitapolkarnpim MD, MPH****, Sakda Arj-ong Vallipakorn MD, PhD*****
Affiliation :
* Social Service Section, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
** Department of Psychiatry, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
*** Department of Community Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
**** Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
***** Section for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Nowadays, the incidence of sexual abuse in children is increasing especially in Thailand and the ASEAN
countries. However, the study of risk factors in family history is limited.
Objective : Assess the significant family background and family history risks of sexually abused children.
Material and Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study used standard questionnaires to collect the general information
of children who were sexually abused victims and explore their family history at the Parenting and Family Support Clinic,
Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University between 2011 and 2013.
Results : The majority of sexually abused children were aged 13 to 15 years (33 cases, 66%). Twelve children (24%) had
underlying substances abuse and mood disorder in parental history, eleven (22%) had fathers with alcoholism problem,
nine (18%) had mothers with mood disorder, and eight (16%) had both underlying conditions. There were 41 single families
(82%). Twenty-nine cases (58%) had conflicting relationship between their parents. The significant risk factors such as
baseline children’s behaviors, abusers, family status, violent history in family background, underlying substances abused
or mood disorder, and baseline relationships in family were studied to develop a decision matrix to see when urgent separation
to save the child from sexually abuse event is required. The logistic regression was analyzed and demonstrated that parental
physical violent history and age group 8 to 12 years were higher odds ratio 19.0 (95% CI: 2.62-137.52, p-value = 0.004),
and 19.2 (95% CI: 2.15-171.82, p-value = 0.002) when compared to other groups.
Conclusion : Basic familial problems were commonly found in sexually abused children. Some of these factors are significant
and can be applied as guidance for safety separation protocol for child safety in case of a sexually abused event.
Keywords : Background Family, Child Sexual Abuse, Abuse, Logistic Regression
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