Physical punishment of elementary school children in urban and rural communities in Ethiopia.

Severe corporeal punishment is known to hamper the physical, emotional and psychosocial development of children. This cross-sectional study was, thus, undertaken to make a quantified preliminary investigation on the occurrence of the problem. Six hundred and forty nine elementary schools' students were interviewed in selected urban and rural schools in Ethiopia. Eighty percent and 76% of the urban and rural children, respectively, admitted being subjected to physical punishment. Almost 21% of the urban and 64% of the rural children had skin bruises or body swelling as a result of the punishment. Only six children (three in each group) visited health facilities for the injury. Among urban students the proportion of those who had physical punishment increased with increasing paternal education and also with increasing maternal education. Among the rural students, on the other hand, physical punishment decreased with increasing age and grade. The public needs to be aware of the rights of children and every possibility should be worked out to secure their utmost emotional and physical development.