Child maltreatment: knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviour of physicians in teaching hospitals, Egypt
Date
2021
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Publisher
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Abstract
Background: Lack of diagnosis and reporting of child maltreatment are important problems worldwide.
Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of physicians in Alexandria University teaching
hospitals about the diagnosis and reporting of child maltreatment cases.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at three hospitals. All physicians working regularly in emergency units were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of and formal training on child maltreatment, attitude to dealing with child maltreatment, and
experience of child maltreatment cases and reporting behaviour.
Results: A total of 90 physicians were included in the study. Only 11% correctly identified all the signs of child maltreatment and 29% correctly answered all questions on the social indicators of maltreatment. Only 41% of the participants had
a good knowledge score (≥ 75%) on child maltreatment. Longer work experience (P = 0.019) and older age (P = 0.039) were
associated with better knowledge. Of 249 suspected cases of child maltreatment that the physicians reported they had
experienced, only 36% were reported. Formal training on child maltreatment (P < 0.001) and older age (P = 0.006) were associated with physicians’ reporting behaviour. Over half (56%) of the participants thought their workplaces did not provide
them with procedures to follow if they suspected child maltreatment.
Conclusion: Physicians’ knowledge of the signs and social indicators of child maltreatment was unsatisfactory. Clinical
training and education are needed to improve their ability to diagnosis and report cases of child maltreatment.
Description
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Keywords
child abuse, physicians, knowledge, International Resources, Egypt
Citation
Saeed, N., Sultan, E. A., Salama, N., Galal, M., & Ghanem, M. (2021). Child maltreatment: knowledge, attitudes and reporting behaviour of physicians in teaching hospitals, Egypt. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 27(3).