Community perceptions about child neglect in Bulowoza parish, Bulamagi sub county Iganga district

Abstract

The study was conducted in Bulowoza parish, Iganga district focusing on Community perceptions about child neglect. Despite several attempts to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence more especially child neglect by a number of actors such as government, social workers, probation officers and police and informal sector, the rate of child neglect are over whelming in spite of the inadequate current updated figures on child neglect. Child neglect can be a bit evidenced by a number of increased street children, school drop outs, child marriages, teenage pregnancies, juvenile delinquency. This qualitative study with a cross sectional design focused on finding the causes of child neglect, consequences and interventions that is in place to curb child neglect in ensuring child protection. Community perceptions about child neglect were examined to give a clear picture of what child neglect is about and this was to create an awareness among the people because research has so much ignored child neglect on its own where by it has always been incorporated with child abuse and violence against children. Therefore, many people are less aware that child neglect exists within their communities. Individual face to face in-depth interviews were conducted where a number of participants were reached until there was no more new information. Key informant interviews were carried out with key people who had knowledge on children and practitioners of child protection. Data collected was presented and analyzed into content such participants ideas on child neglect were presented based on the questions that they were asked. A number of issues were presented including the causes and consequences of child neglect. Also, the interventions being practiced were presented in the research report. However, government should set clear policies guiding the upbringing of children in ensuring child protection from violence against children and child abuse. Therefore, ending child neglect should be a priority at all levels.