Comparison of the levels of knowledge and approaches in relation with child abuse and neglect in residents of pediatrics, pediatricians and practitioners working in the province of Ankara

Abstract

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the levels of knowledge and approaches related with child abuse and neglect in pediatricians and practitioners who have a significant role in recognition and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Material and Methods:Two hundred residents of pediatrics and 100 pediatricians working in university and education and research hospitals in the center of Ankara province and 250 practicioners working in primary health care centers were included in the study. A scale composed of five parts including history, physical examination, radiology, risk groups and symptoms was prepared to determine the level of knowledge of physician related with child abuse and neglect. The correct answers given to the questions included in the scale were added and knowledge scores for the subscales and the total score were calculated. Approval was obtained from Ankara University, Medical Faculty Ethics Committee for the study. The data were evaluated using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis test.Results: A total of 550 physicians (339 female and 221 male) were included in the study. The mean total knowledge score related with child abuse and neglect was found to be 12.4±4.5 in residents of pediatrics, 13.7±2.8 in pediatricians and 13.6±2.8 in practitioners. The level of knowledge was found to be significantly higher in women, married physicians, physicians who received education before and after graduation, physician who confronted with cases of abuse or suspicious abuse and made a legal notice.

Child maltreatment: knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviour of physicians in teaching hospitals, Egypt

“…However, sex and specialty were not significantly associated with knowledge. A study in Turkey found similar results for age and work experience, but also found that female physicians had better knowledge than males (23).…”

Keeping the child in focus while supporting the family

“…According to Swedish legislation (The Social Services Act, 2001), reporting is mandatory, even if child maltreatment is only suspected; something the nurses in the present study were well aware of. Nevertheless, under-reporting remains an issue in Sweden (Swedish Government Official Reports, 2009), as is the case in other countries (Kara et al, 2014; Lazenbatt and Freeman, 2006). In our study, the nurses described how they were sometimes concerned about submitting an unsubstantial report and how this would, in turn, affect the family.…”

“…Previous research has reported that CHC nurses, in addition to general practitioners, under-report child maltreatment. This implies that children are not receiving the protection they require (Kara et al, 2014; Lazenbatt and Freeman, 2006). Different reasons for under-reporting have been discussed and include, for example, lack of knowledge and ignorance of the reporting process (Borres and Hagg, 2007; Gilbert et al, 2009a; Kara et al, 2014).…”

“…This implies that children are not receiving the protection they require (Kara et al, 2014; Lazenbatt and Freeman, 2006). Different reasons for under-reporting have been discussed and include, for example, lack of knowledge and ignorance of the reporting process (Borres and Hagg, 2007; Gilbert et al, 2009a; Kara et al, 2014). Gilbert et al (2009a) stated that one reason for not reporting may be related to concern about the impact of reporting on the family.…”

Effect of Training About Child Neglect and Abuse to Teachers and Its Effect to Awareness

“…Some researchers performed studies using the Scale Form for Identifying the Symptoms and Risks of Child Abuse and Neglect. Demir [23] in physicians, Kocaer [24] in nurses and physicians, Kara [25] in physicians and Yılmaz [26] in nurses as study groups. Corroborating, those studies have shown that those who do not have children scored higher in the scale.…”