Survey on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences among young people in the Russian Federation

2014

The survey on the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in Russia was conducted in a sample of young adult students (N=1580) in higher education institutions and colleges (640 men and 940 women). The average age of men was 20.75 ± 2.73 years, women 20.55 ± 2.54 years. The survey aimed to describe the magnitude of ACE, to identify sociodemographic characteristics and find the association between ACE and health risk behaviours. Results showed that the prevalence of child maltreatment in this population is high: sexual abuse 5.7%, physical abuse 14%, emotional abuse 37.9% and emotional neglect 57.9%. Household dysfunction was also common, and among these 11.1% observed their mother being treated violently. ACEs were common and 84.6% reported at least one, and respondents most often faced two ACEs (28.2%) and as many as 17.5% reported at least four or more ACEs. The findings show that the odds of developing health risk behaviours such as smoking, alcohol, illicit drugs, multiple sexual partners and suicide attempts increased with the ACE score. Strategies are needed for the prevention of child maltreatment and other adversity in childhood.