Effect of Educational Protocol to Improve Mothers’ Knowledge, Practice and Attitude about Child Abuse

Abstract

Background: Child abuse is a serious problem causing physical, social and psychosocial harm to the children. Aim: To evaluate the effect of educational protocol in improving mothers' knowledge, practice and attitude about child abuse. Design: A quasi-experimental research design [pretest-posttest] was used. Setting: At the out patient's clinics at Zagazig University Hospitals. Sample: A purposive sample consisted of 100 mothers participated in this study and they were chosen according to inclusion criteria. Tools: Four tools were used; Interview questionnaire sheet, Mother's knowledge about child abuse, Child Abuse Prevention Attitude Scale, Check List for Expressed Practices on Child Abuse. Results: Revealed that most of the mothers were secondary education, house wives and from rural areas, there were statistical significant differences between pre\posttests regarding knowledge, practice, attitudes for the mothers regarding child abuse and there was negative association among the incidence of child abuse and the level of knowledge, practice, and attitude of their mothers. Conclusion: The applying of educational protocol for mothers was effective in enhancing their knowledge, practice, and attitudes regarding child abuse. Recommendation: Educational pamphlets about child abuse and its prevention strategies should be given to mothers in different settings such as, clinics, worksites and health care centers, and also establishing child abuse prevention programs at schools could be helpful.

Effect of Health Educational Program on Knowledge, Practices and Attitudes of Mothers toward Child Maltreatment

“…This result was agreed with El-Said R (2019) who reported that low mothers' knowledge about child abuse before conducting educational sessions were enhanced afterward. (36) Also, Fatouh W et al (2020) declared improvement in mothers' knowledge apropos protecting their children from sexual harassment. (37) In addition, Hima V Krishnan et al (2021) reported that the knowledge of rural mothers concerning child abuse increased after educating them.…”

“…(45) Also, El-Said R (2019) revealed that educational protocol positively changed the mothers' attitudes. (36) Having adequate and accurate information regarding proper child rearing is essential for parents to maintain positive behaviors when dealing with their children. Regarding mothers practices, the results showed that positive parenting practices were commonly used by mothers than other practices pre and post program implementation (Table 3).…”

“…This result was covenant with El-Said R (2019) who said that most of the subjects felt highly satisfactory about their practice with their children after providing an educational program. (36) Additionally, Rathnayake et al (2022) found that the practices of mothers within the experimental group had greatly improved related to child neglect compared to control group following the health promotion intervention.…”