SHADOWS OF THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC: A STUDY OF PERCEIVED CHILD RISK FACTORS PREDISPOSING CHILD ABUSE DURING THE COVID-19 IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

Abstract

The study sought to examine the perceived risk factors contributing to child abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zambia. A mixed-method approach supported by a concurrent triangulation research design was used in the study. The sample was 107; involving 92 service providers and 15 parents/caregivers. The participants were selected using expert and homogeneous purposive sampling approaches. A questionnaire involving closed and open-ended questions was employed in the collection of data. In quantitative analysis, the study used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to arrive at primary descriptive statistics and inferential test results. Qualitative data was analysed using a thematic approach. Documentary data analysis was used to arrive at secondary data to supplement primary data. The study revealed that despite a decrease in reported child abuse cases during the pandemic, various risk factors persisted such as: age of the child, gender of the child, lack of parent-child attachment, physical or developmental disabilities, gender disparities, and increasing child vulnerability. It was evident from the study that, pandemic-related child protection services needed targeted strategies that addressed individual, familial, and societal factors, with a focus on prevention, intervention, and support measures to safeguard children. The study, therefore, emphasizes the need for comprehensive child protection interventions, including the creation of safe spaces, community awareness programmes, food security, mental health support, and fast-track court services.