Determinar la prevalencia de menores de etnia gitana ingresados en centros de protección por malos tratos, sus características demográficas, tipología del maltrato, frecuencia de factores de riesgo sociosanitarios asociados, problemas más frecuentes de salud y si existen diferencias con una población general de menores maltratados

Estudio retrospectivo transversal de cohorte durante 8 años (1995–2002). Se revisaron los expedientes sociosanitarios de los menores que ingresaron en centros de protección por malos tratos y se incluyeron los pertenecientes a la etnia gitana. La recopilación de información, definición de conceptos y evaluación sanitaria se realizó siguiendo metodologías, estudios y directrices de ámbito nacional. Se realizó estudio estadístico descriptivo y comparativo

Durante el período de estudio ingresaron 873 menores de los cuales 74 eran de etnia gitana (prevalencia del 8,5%, 1,7 veces superior a la esperada). Demografía: edad media de 6,9 años (desviación estándar [DE], 5,7); grupo de edad 0–5 años, 56,7 %; mujeres, 51,3 %. En los menores de etnia gitana, no existieron diferencias demográficas significativas respecto a una población general de menores maltratados. Sin embargo, se observaron prevalencias superiores estadísticamente significativas del maltrato de tipo pasivo (p=0,0133; odds ratio [OR], 2,4; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 %, 1,2–4,9); proceder de familias con más de un factor de riesgo sociosanitario (p=0,0000; OR, 30,5; IC 95 %, 9,4–99,1) con problemáticas de delincuencia (p=0,0000; OR, 11,7; IC 95 %, 6,3–21,7) y abuso de drogas/ alcohol (p=0,0000; OR, 3,4; IC 95 %, 1,9–6); presentar al menos un problema de salud (p=0,0000; OR, 6,9; IC 95 %, 2,7–17,3), inmunizaciones ausentes o incompletas (p=0,0000; OR, 4,9; IC 95 %, 3–8,1), enfermedades discapacitantes (p=0,0012; OR, 2,9; IC 95 %, 1,5–5,9), especialmente de origen neurológico (p=0,0000; OR, 4,8; IC 95%, 2–11,4), retraso del desarrollo psicomotor en menores de 6 años (p=0,0330; OR, 2,4; IC 95 %, 1–5,3) y trastornos de la conducta en adolescentes (p=0,0005; OR, 4,7; IC 95 %, 1,8–12,1)

En los niños de etnia gitana, cuando el maltrato se produce, existe una asociación significativa con la presencia en su familia de factores de riesgo sociosanitarios como delincuencia y problemas de salud mental relacionados con toxicomanía/alcoholismo. Estos niños presentan un estado de salud significativamente diferente al observado en una población general infantojuvenil maltratada, a expensas de una mayor incidencia de enfermedades discapacitantes de origen neurológico y de problemas y enfermedades relacionadas con una negligencia y/o abandono cronificado en las áreas sanitaria, socioeducativa y psicoemocional. Respecto al hecho de ingresar en un centro de protección por sufrir malos tratos, presentan una prevalencia superior a la que teóricamente les correspondería

To determine the prevalence of maltreated gypsy children admitted to centers of protection, as well as their demographic characteristics, type of maltreatment, frequency of associated social and health risk factors, frequent health problems and whether there are differences between these children and the general population of maltreated children

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study over an 8-year period (1995–2002). The social and health reports of the maltreated children admitted to protection centers were reviewed and those belonging to the gypsy ethnic group were included. Information collection, definition of concepts and health assessments were performed according to nationwide methodologies, studies and directives. A descriptive and comparative statistical study was performed

During the study period, 873 children were admitted, of whom 74 were from the gypsy ethnic group (a prevalence of 8.5 %, 1.7 times higher than that expected). Demography: mean age: 6.9 years (5.7 SDU); age group 0–5 years age: 56.7 %; females: 51.3 %. No significant demographic differences were observed in gypsy children compared with the general population of maltreated children. However, factors that were significantly more frequent in gypsy children were the prevalence of passive maltreatment (p=0.0133; odds ratio [OR]: 2.4; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.2–4.9), belonging to families with more than one social and health risk factor (p=0.0000; OR: 30.5; 95 % CI: 9.4–99.1) with problems of delinquency (p=0.0000; OR: 11.7; 95 % CI: 6.3–21.7) and with a history drug/alcohol abuse (p=0.0000; OR: 3.4; 95 % CI: 1.9–6), presenting at least one health problem (p=0.0000; OR: 6.9; 95 % CI: 2.7–17.3), absent or incomplete immunizations (p=0.0000; OR: 4.9; 95 % CI: 3–8.1), disabilities (p=0.0012; OR: 2.9; 95 % CI: 1.5–5.9) especially of neurological origin (p=0.0000; OR: 4.8; 95 % CI: 2–11.4), psychomotor developmental delay in children younger than 6 years (p=0.0330; OR: 2.4; 95 % CI: 1–5.3) and behavioral disorders in adolescents (p=0.0005; OR: 4.7; 95 % CI: 1.8–12.1)

There is a significant association between maltreatment of gypsy children and the presence in their family of social and health risk factors such as delinquency and mental health problems related to drug addiction/alcoholism. The health status of these children is significantly different from that observed in maltreated children from the general population, with a greater incidence of neurological disabilities and problems and diseases related to chronic neglect and/or abandonment of the child's health, socio- educational and psycho-emotional needs. These children are admitted to centers of protection more frequently than their theoretical risk would predict