Adverse childhood experiences among high-risk children living in socially vulnerable areas

Abstract

Objectives: to identify the occurrence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children classified as high-risk at birth. Methods: this quantitative, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted within an Intermunicipal Health Consortium in Paraná from September 2022 to February 2023, involving 45 caregivers of high-risk children. Data collection took place at the participants’ homes using three questionnaires. The results were analyzed descriptively, based on the theory of the adverse childhood events tree. Results: the prevalence of adverse childhood events was 18.6%. Regarding the types of events, 64.3% reported violence; 28% reported parental divorce; 22.2% reported substance abuse by caregivers; 73.3% experienced difficulty acquiring basic necessities; 62.2% were unemployed and/or had low income; 55.6% lived in conflict-prone areas; and 44.4% lacked access to sewage systems. Conclusions: adverse childhood events are multifactorial and cross-sectoral, posing significant threats to child development. The 2030 Agenda proposes dimensions for addressing this issue by investing in childhood.