Factors Associated With the Use of Violent Child Discipline Methods in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Few studies have been conducted in developing countries especially in Sub-Saharan Africa on child discipline practices or methods compared to developed countries. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the use of violent child discipline methods in Uganda. The study utilized a complementary log-log regression model and analysed secondary data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey. Knowledge of law prohibiting child abuse, belief in whether a child needs to be physically punished, region, age of household head (50-59 years, 60-69 years & 70+ years), age of a child, education level of household head (higher), marital status of household head (widowed), and household size were significantly associated with ones likelihood of using a violent child discipline method. There is a need for interventions to boost access to and completion of higher education and create support structures in communities to help widowed parents cope with the loss of partners and readjust to changes in their lives. There is a need by the government to not only sensitize people about the negative effects of VCD methods but also ensure existing laws prohibiting VCD methods are enforced by the relevant authorities.

Keywords

• child discipline, uganda
• violent
• udhs