Epidemiology of interpersonal violence among Mexican children and adolescents: a national analysis of injury data from public hospitals from 2015 to 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Interpersonal violence (IPV) among children and adolescents represents a significant global public health problem. While Mexico has recorded an increase in IPV, its distribution and management remain understudied. We aim to investigate the epidemiology of IPV cases among children and adolescents in Mexico.

Methods: This retrospective registry-based analysis used a nationwide injury dataset (Lesiones) from the Mexican Ministry of Health. We included medical records of IPV victims aged 0 to 17 years who presented at public health facilities in Mexico from 2015 to 2022. We used stratified descriptive statistics to summarize the distribution, management, and outcomes of IPV. Categorical variables were compared between male and female victims, as well as across age categories, using chi-square tests. Additionally, we generated a heatmap to visually represent the average IPV cases per 100,000 children and adolescents across Mexican states.

Results: Among 116,287 IPV victims, 36,385 (31.3%) were male and 79,902 (68.7%) female. The majority were aged 15-17 years (n = 62,616; 53.8%), followed by those aged 10-14 years (n = 34,234; 29.4%), 5-9 years (n = 12,219; 10.5%), and under 5 years (n = 7,218; 6.2%). Most had a secondary education (n = 32,509; 28.0%), and literacy levels were high, with 86,858 (74.7%) reported as literate. Among female victims, 11,207 (14.0%) were pregnant at the time of the IPV incident. Among all victims, physical abuse (n = 39,155; 33.7%) was the most common form of violence, followed by mental abuse (n = 38,759; 33.3%) and sexual abuse (n = 38,373; 33.0%). Among males, 73.5% (n = 26,743) were affected by physical abuse, whereas among females, 44.4% (n = 38,373) experienced sexual abuse. Family violence accounted for 57.1% (n = 66,407) of all medical records. The states with the highest average IPV cases per 100,000 children and adolescents were Guanajuato (83.8) and Chihuahua (80.0). Most aggressors were male (n = 76,909; 66.1%).

Conclusion: This study analyzed IPV cases among children and adolescents in Mexico. Findings highlight the need for multi-faceted, age- and gender-specific interventions. Strengthening laws and policies, with a focus on reporting, enforcement, and mandatory training, is essential to protect children and adolescents from IPV.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; IPV; Interpersonal violence; Mexico.

Fig. 1

Distribution of forms of violence stratified by age category and sex (n = 116,287)

Fig. 2

Number of IPV cases among Mexican children and adolescents (n = 116,287)

Fig. 3

Heatmap of average number of IPV cases per 100,000 children and adolescents from 2015–2022 (n = 116,287)