Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Related to Child Abuse Among Doctors in Mangalore, India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Neil Dsouza1, Sandria A Dsouza1, Melisha G Dsouza1
1Pediatrics, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, IND.
Introduction:
Abuse can have serious implications on children, persisting even into adulthood. The prevention of child abuse is therefore paramount, as it can present in the form of sexual, psychological, and physical abuse in addition to neglect.
Objectives:
To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of doctors toward child abuse in the region of Mangalore, India, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. To compare the level of knowledge and attitude between the various professional groups.
Materials And Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among allopathic doctors, including interns, postgraduate students, and staff doctors, using a validated self-administered questionnaire. The study was conducted over three months (May-July 2024) using a convenience sampling method, with data being collected via Google Forms (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA) and printed questionnaires. Informed consent, along with a participant information sheet containing brief details of the study, was provided prior to inclusion. Statistical analysis performed included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Kruskal-Wallis tests.
Results:
A total of 317 doctors participated. The mean knowledge score was 10.03 (SD ± 1.66) (Max score - 14), with 57.1% (n = 181) having adequate knowledge, 40.1% (n = 127) having good knowledge, and 2.8% (n = 9) obtaining poor knowledge scores. Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with age (p = 0.016), gender (p = 0.001), and years of practice (p = 0.021). The mean attitude score was 4.23 (SD ± 1.10) (Max score - 6), with no significant differences across professional and demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). 99.7% (n = 316) of doctors agreed it was important to raise awareness on child abuse among the medical fraternity. Despite adequate knowledge and attitude, the practice of doctors towards reporting of abuse was unsatisfactory.
Conclusion:
While knowledge and attitude towards child abuse were found to be adequate and moderate, respectively, significant gaps exist in translating knowledge into practice. Strengthening the medical curriculum and implementing targeted training programs could improve child abuse detection and reporting among doctors.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Obedience
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:14SBAR II: Application of SBAR
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
01:30Preventive Healthcare Services
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is...