Reported child sexual abuse in Bahrain: 2000-2009

Child sexual abuse [CSA] is a common problem with severe short and long-term consequences to the abused child, the family and to society. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of CSA, and demographic and other characteristics of the abused and their families. Retrospective and descriptive study based on a review of medical records of CSA cases from 2000-2009 at Sulmaniya Medical Complex, the main secondary and tertiary medical care facility in Bahrain. The review included demographic data, child and family characteristics, manifestations and interventions. The 440 children diagnosed with CSA had a mean age of 8 years [range, 9 months to 17 years]; 222 were males [50.5%] and 218 were females [49.5%]. There was a steady increase in cases from 31 per year in 2000 to 77 cases in 2009. Children disclosed abuse in 26% of cases, while health sector professionals recognized 53% of the cases. Genital touching and fondling [62.5%] were the most common form of CSA, followed by sodomy in 39%. Gonorrhea was documented in 2% of the cases and pregnancy in 4% of the females. The illiteracy rate among the fathers and mothers was 9% and 12%, respectively, which is higher than the rate among the adult general population. Children came from all socio-economic classes. There was referral to police in 56%, public prosecution in 31% of the cases, but only 8% reached the court. During ten years there has been a 2.5% increase in reported cases of CSA. Improving the skill of professionals in identifying CSA indicators and a mandatory reporting law might be needed to improve the rate of recognition and referral of CSA cases. Further general population-based surveys are needed to determine more accurately the scope of CSA and the risk and protective factors in the family and community

Pattern of skeletal injuries in physically abused children

The aim of this study is to identify the frequency and patterns of skeletal injuries among victims of child abuse in Bahrain. Retrospective. Child Protection Unit at Salmaniya Medical Complex. Child's characteristics, type of skeletal injuries, location, pattern, radiological findings, and associated other injuries of 36 children were reviewed. Data management and analysis was done using SPSS for Windows, version 18. Thirty-six children with skeletal injuries resulting from child physical abuse were seen from 1991 to 2009. Twenty-three [64%] were males and 13 [36%] were females; the mean age was 3.8 years. Twenty-three [64%] were

Corporal punishment and psychological maltreatment among school girls in Bahrain

To identify the prevalence and factors associated with increased risk for corporal punishment and psychological maltreatment of school girls in Bahrain. Study design: A total of 184 school girls attending two summer centres in Manama and Muharraq had answered the questionnaire. The students were in 6th-l2th grades. The questionnaire included inquiries about instances of corporal punishment by the school teachers over the preceeding year, demographic data that may associate with increased risk for abuse, reason[s] for the punishment, the instrument used, manners or style of hitting and the student's reaction and perception about the appropriateness or otherwise of corporal punishment. They were also asked about instances and types of verbal insults and their reaction to them, the use of corporal punishment at home, the person administering the punishment and the apparent presumed reason[s] for it. Corporal punishment was experienced by 23% of the students at school and by25% at home. Verbal insults at school were reported by 78% of the girls. The students' reactions to these punishments and insults were anger, dislike of school, low self-esteem, depression, desire for revenge and indifference. Factors associated with an increased risk for corporal punishment at school included; poor school performance, schools located in rural areas and junior classes. Corporal punishment and psychological maltreatment of school girls are common. Enacting and enforcing laws that prohibit corporal punishment and psychological maltreatment at schools in Bahrain are urgently needed. In addition, there is a need to educate teachers about normal behavioural development of children, anger control skills, healthy approach to conflict resolution and alternatives to corporal punishment for controlling undesirable behaviour of children

Dubin-Johnson syndrome and neonatal cholestasis case report and review of pathogenesis

A one month old male infant presented with neonatal cholestasis and steatorrhea. Urinary bile acids and bile alcohols were elevated. Liver biopsy showed brown pigment in centrilobular hepatocytes indicative of Dubin-Johnson Syndrome [DJS]. Extensive investigations ruled out known causes of cholestasis. The association of DJS and neonatal cholestasis is discussed

Lead encephalopathy in a Bahraini infant

To increase awareness about lead poisoning generally and lead encephalopathy specifically, were report a case of infantile lead encephalopathy resulting from the use of Kohl [Surma] on the umbilical cord. There is a need for public education about the danger of this practice. Strict regulations about importation and distribution of such products are needed