Lifetime Experience of Childhood Abuse and Neglect Among High School Students at Debre Tabor Town, South Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Demewoz Kefale,1 Mastewal Endalew,2 Worku Necho Asferie,3 Solomon Demis,3 Tigabu Munye,4 Yohannes Tesfahun,5 Amare Simegn,6 Mahilet Wondim,7 Amare Kassaw,1 Gashaw Kerebeh,1 Demeke Mesfin Belay,1 Binyam Minuye,3 Shegaw Zeleke4 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 2Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Maternal and Neonatal Health Nursing, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 4Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 5Department of Emergency and Critical Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 6Department of Reproductive Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia; 7Department of Midwifery, South Gondar Zone Health Office, Debre Tabor, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Demewoz Kefale, Tel +251920253332, Email demewozk@yahoo.comBackground: Childhood abuse and neglect is defined as any intentional harm or mistreatment of a child that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival and development. It has been linked to an increased risk of a wide range of serious short- and long-term medical and mental health problems. Although it is a complex societal issue, it receives limited research attention in the area.Objective: To assess lifetime prevalence of childhood abuse and neglect among high school students in Debre Tabor town, south Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to assess 423 high school students, chosen through a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured and self-administered international child abuse screening tool, child version (IC