Do pediatric nurse practitioners recognize sexual abuse?

This study was undertaken to describe pediatric nurse practitioners' (PNPs') knowledge of genital anatomy and their ability to recognize sexual abuse.

A 33-item questionnaire developed by Ladson, Johnson, and Doty (1987) was revised, and PNPs were asked questions about demographics, their knowledge of normal and abnormal prepubescent genital anatomy, and their recognition of the association between sexually transmitted diseases and sexual abuse in prepubescent girls. The questionnaire was mailed to 213 PNPs within the state of Ohio, all of whom were members of the Ohio Chapter of NAPNAP.

No statistically significant correlation was noted between any demographic characteristics and correct responses to questionnaire items. Two anatomical parts--hymen and vaginal opening--were correctly identified by less than 60% of the participants. Only 67.1% of the PNPs stated that a child can have a normal genital examination after penile penetration of the vagina.

PNPs need to increase their knowledge of normal prepubescent genital anatomy and physical findings of sexual abuse and report these findings if abuse is suspected.