Prevalence and determinants of childhood physical abuse in South Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the studies

Background Child physical abuse (CPA) is a significant public health issue in South Asia, yet regional data on its prevalence and contributing factors remain fragmented. This study aims to systematically review and analyze the prevalence of CPA across South Asia, focusing on geographic and period influences. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted. Studies reporting on the prevalence of CPA in South Asia were included, and a random-effects model was used to calculate pooled prevalence estimates. Subgroup analyses was conducted based on country and publication years of the study. Meta-regression of the study was also performed according to age and publication years. Results A total of 23 studies were analyzed, revealing a pooled prevalence of 44%, with significant variation across countries, ranging from 2.3–72.7%. Conflict-affected regions, Afghanistan exhibited the highest prevalence (72%), while Pakistan had the lowest (27%). High heterogeneity (I²=99.84%) reflects the influence of cultural, socioeconomic, and legal factors on abuse rates across the region. Additionally, an increase in CPA prevalence was observed over time, with a 1.8% (p = 0.01) rise during the study period. Conclusions The findings emphasize the urgent need for improved child protection measures, legal enforcement, and further research to understand the underlying causes of abuse and regional disparities in South Asia.