Long term consequences of child sexual abuse in Saudi Arabia: A report from national study

Abstract

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a global public health problem that has been found to be linked to negative health outcomes. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of different forms of CSA and its impact on chronic diseases, mental health disorders, and health-risk behaviors among adults in Saudi Arabia (SA). A cross-sectional, national survey utilizing Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was conducted in SA. Adults (N=10,156) aged ≥18 years were invited to participate. The relationship between CSA variables and outcomes were calculated. The prevalence of life time CSA was 20.8%. Participants who reported CSA had 1.7, 2.2, and 3.8 times the odds of diabetes, coronary heart disease, and obesity diagnosis respectively compared to participants with no CSA. Regarding mental health disorders, CSA had 3.0, 2.6, and 4.1 times the odds of a depression, anxiety, and other mental illness diagnosis respectively. Those reported CSA were identified as having 2.0, 5.5, 5.8, 7.9, and 7.2 times the odds of being a smoker, drinking alcohol, using drugs, out of wedlock sexual relations, and suicidal thoughts respectively. In comparing males and females with CSA, males had the highest odd ratio (5.2) for obesity among the physical and mental health disorders and female had the highest OR (10.7) in out of wedlock sexual relations among the health- risk-behaviors. CSA is a common hidden phenomenon in SA, efforts should be strengthened to increase awareness on consequences, and outcomes in order to build prevention programs.