Objective To investigate the current situation of neglect among junior and senior high school students, analyze factors associated with it and investigate the situation of students' neglect in urban villages in Shenzhen, Guangdong, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating interventions to reduce adolescent neglect.

Methods Random stratified cluster sampling method was used to select one junior and senior high school in urban and non urban villages in Shenzhen. Two classes were selected from grade one to grade three in each junior and senior high school. A total of four schools and twelve classes were selected. Questionnaire survey and scale assessment were used to investigate the current situation of neglect among high school students in Shenzhen.

Results A total of 1 019 adolescents were recruited. 995 valid questionnaires were collected (97.64%). 331 out of 995 respondents were neglected, with a total neglect rate of 33.27% and a total neglect degree of 50.87. 183 out of 490 high school students in urban villages were neglected, with a neglect rate of 37.3% and a neglect degree of 51.62. There were significant differences in the neglect rate between the urban and non urban villages, the junior and senior high school, different registered residence, different gender, the family type, the family economy situation and the parents' relationship (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that students from non-urban villages, girls and good family economy were the protective factors of neglect (OR = 0.695, OR = 0.689, OR = 0.327; all P < 0.05), while senior middle school, separated from parents for a long time and bad relationship with parents were the risk factors of neglect (OR = 1.773, OR = 2.756, OR = 35.115; all P < 0.05).

Conclusion The neglect rate among junior and senior high school students in Shenzhen is relatively high, especially among students in urban villages, which should be seriously concerned by parents, schools and the society. Schools and the society should guide parents to master correct way of communication. The government may protect the legitimate rights and interests of adolescents through laws and regulations, administrative management, key monitoring, public interest advocacy and other methods.