This paper, published as a part of the Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement, outlines the associations between child maltreatment experiences and later health service utilisation.

Abstract

Objectives:

To examine associations between child maltreatment and health service use, both overall, by type and by the number of types of maltreatment reported. Design, setting: Cross- sectional, retrospective survey using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire- R2: Adapted Version (Australian Child Maltreatment Study); computer- assisted mobile telephone interviews using random digit dialling, Australia, 9 April – 11 October 2021. 

Participants:

Australians aged 16 years or more. The target sample size was 8500 respondents: 3500 people aged 16–24 years and 1000 respondents each from the five age groups (25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65 years or more). 

Main outcome measures:

Self- reported health service use during the past twelve months: hospital admissions, length of stay, and reasons for admission; and numbers of consultations with health care professionals, overall and by type. Associations between maltreatment and health service use are reported as odds ratios adjusted for age group, gender, socio- economic status, financial hardship (childhood and current), and geographic remoteness.