Prevalence and Risk Factors for Child Sexual Abuse in Six South Asian Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a pervasive issue with significant global health implications. It can lead to severe physical, psychological, and social consequences that can extend to adult life. This review was conducted to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for CSA among children <18 years of age in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A random-effects model and Jamovi (ver. 2.3.28.0) software were used for statistical analysis. Out of 284 identified records, 11 studies from India, Nepal, and Pakistan were included, while no eligible studies were identified for Bangladesh, Bhutan, or Afghanistan. The pooled prevalence was 6.23% (95% confidence interval [1.9, 10.5]), with substantial heterogeneity (I² = 99.73%). Key risk factors identified included lack of parental supervision, unsafe environments, sex disparities, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities.