Review Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Child Abuse and Neglect

Description

Child abuse and neglect, collectively referred to as "child maltreatment," is a major national public health concern, with 618,000 victims and 1,750 fatalities reported in the United States in Fiscal Year 2020. This issue is associated with heightened risks of diverse behaviors and adverse health outcomes, spanning poor nutrition, delinquent behavior, diabetes, lung disease, vision problems, posttraumatic stress disorder, depressive disorders, suicide, attachment and social difficulties, and diminished cognitive functioning skills. The societal impact extends to increased healthcare, social welfare, and special education costs. While previous reviews have provided valuable insights, limitations include lack of contemporaneity, absence of systematic review methods, absence of quantitative synthesis, and focus on a single maltreatment type. To address these gaps, this study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis, offering timely and quantitative insights crucial for addressing this pressing public health issue.

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