The Perception of Child Abuse and Neglect by Those Who Work with Children

Abstract

The present cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the perception of child maltreatment, knowledge of its predictors, and the ability to identify indicators of abuse and neglect by a sample of professionals working with children in Baghdad. The study group consisted of 90 doctors working in primary health care centers, 75 primary school teachers and 35 kindergartners. Total of 200 interviewees 90were present at the time of the interview, with a response rate of 84.4%. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used as the study instrument and the professionals were requested to complete this questionnaire. It consisted of demographic and professional data about participants and questions about their perception and recognition of child abuse and neglect. The study was carried out during the period from 15th of January through May 31st 2019, and was conducted in nineteen primary health care centers as well as eight primary schools and four kindergartens in Baghdad, which were all selected by the Simple Random Technique. The results show that primary health care doctors had a significantly higher perception with the highest being for ″severe beating that leaves marks″. 57.8% for abuse situations and ″inattention to child’s cleanliness". 84.4% for neglect situations. They showed greater capability of identifying indicators of child maltreatment, with the highest being for "stuttering″ and "thumb sucking″ 90% for both and the "child is very shy″ which is recognized by more than 80% for the three study groups. Only one factor as a predictor of child maltreatment was recognized by more than 80% of the three study groups which is ″marital and family problems″. The present study may reflect a weakness in the area of child mental health care by professionals working with children which calls for the introduction of mental health training programs to professional working with children.