Funded by HORIZON Europe as part of the SERENA project and supported by COST Action Euro-CAN network, a study on child physical abuse (CPA) hospitalizations draws on data from Denmark, England, France, Ireland, and Wales, specifically involving children under the age of five. Dr. Catherine Quantin of Dijon University Hospital and Swansea University's Dr. Laura Cowley co-led this effort.
The study addressed the global health problem of child physical abuse, which has lifelong consequences. Yet, reliable data on hospitalization resulting from CPA is scarce. The analysis, featured in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, spanned eight years from 2013 to 2021, focusing on national hospital records to identify recurring trends.
The study's findings include the feasibility of comparing CPA hospitalization trends across countries and noted stability in the incidence rate of CPA-related hospitalizations for infants less than one year, averaging 42 cases per 100,000 births each year. During the 2020 pandemic, there was a notable rise in the proportion of CPA hospitalizations, possibly due to decreased overall hospital admissions. Variations in coding practices across countries highlighted the need for standardized data collection to enhance CPA surveillance and intervention strategies.
Dr. Laura Cowley stated, "Our study demonstrates the value of hospital records in monitoring child physical abuse trends and the importance of collaboration in tackling complex public health challenges. By using administrative data from multiple countries, we can gain a clearer understanding of child physical abuse trends and help shape policies to safeguard children across Europe."
Professor Quantin added, “If the collection and analysis of CPA hospitalisation data were extended to all European countries and the quality of the information improved, it would be possible to create a European metric for CPA. This would facilitate monitoring and surveillance of CPA, analysis of the impact of events such as pandemics, and measurement of the effectiveness of policies and interventions, all at the national or European level. This evidence could in turn support intergovernmental efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against children.”
This comprehensive research involved multiple experts from diverse institutions, including Professor Sinead Brophy and Dr. Natasha Kennedy from Swansea University, Dr. Jonathan Cottenet from Dijon University Hospital, Professor Ruth Gilbert and Colleen Chambers from University College London, and several other professionals from various universities and agencies across Europe.
The publication aims to shape policy development and understanding to better protect children from abuse throughout Europe.