Adolescent abuse was studied in 555 school students (mean age 15.6 +/- 1.5 years) selected by multistage random sampling in Beni Suef in 1998. Each student received a general physical examination and a pre-coded questionnaire to identify determinants of abuse. Prevalence of abuse was 36.6%. Emotional, physical, sexual and combined abuse prevalence was 12.3%, 7.6%, 7.0% and 9.7% respectively. Significant predictors of sexual abuse were hyperactive child, disabled child, disinterested mother, low birth order child or wasted child. For physical abuse, significant predictors were maternal disinterest, maternal education and injuries. Significant predictors of emotional abuse were overcrowding, disease and mistreatment by a teacher. Violent behaviour was reported for more than 20% of the emotionally and the sexually abused.