FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN TREATED AT SIRIRAJ HOSPITAL, BANGKOK, THAILAND

The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with out-of-home placement of sexually abused children treated at Siriraj Hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand, the largest national tertiary referral center. A retrospective chart review was conducted among 194 children aged 0-15 years who were sexually abused and treated by a multidisciplinary child protection team during 2008 to 2012. Demographic data, clinical data, and other data specifically relating to sexual abuse were reviewed by one of the investigators who was blinded to out-of-home placement data. Out-of-home placement data was reviewed by a separate investigator. Factors associated with out-of-home placement were analyzed by univariate and multiple stepwise logistic regression analyses. Nearly 25% of the sexually abused children evaluated in this study were placed out-of-home. From multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with out-of-home placement included the perpetrator being the father or stepfather (AOR = 9.16; 95% CI: 3.15-26.63), history of previous abuse (AOR = 5.05; 95% CI: 2.2-11.62), low family income (AOR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.24-5.95), and child's age <12 years (AOR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.07-5.85). The results may be useful for guiding clinicians in assessing the necessity of removing sexually abused children from their family home.