Child abuse and neglect: Knowledge, perception and experience of dentist and dental undergraduate students in Abha, Saudi Arabia
Author(s): M Zakirulla*, Hadeel A Al Manea, Razan M Al Hajari, Ahmad S Shafloot, Adnan S Alasiri, Mohammed S Alamri, Aisha Ali M Alammari, Shahad Ibrahim A Alibrahim, Noaf Awad M Mohsinah, Kholood S Algarni, Ohoud I Alqarni, Eman A Alshahrani, Salma Mushabbab S Alahmari and Ruba Mohammed S Alsharif
Abstract
Background: This study aims to assess the knowledge, perception and experience of CAN among dentist and dental undergraduate students in King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional study will be carried out on a total number of 300 dental surgeons (Male=150; Female=150) was participated in the study with age ranges from 20- to 55-year-old to know the knowledge, perception and experience of CAN among dentist and dental undergraduate students in King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants after explaining to them the purpose of the study. The sampling method included in the study is a simple random sampling method. A self-administered structured questionnaire was developed, and the data was collected. Both descriptive and analytical statistical measurements were done. Results: The majority of participants, 189 (63%) were agreed to that children exposed to CAN will tell someone soon after the abuse. 285 (85%) agreed that Child maltreatment is primarily associated with the stresses of poverty and rarely occurs in middle or high-income families. When asked about the first action a physician should take if he/she suspects child maltreatment, majority of them 168 (56%) participants said that they will ask the child and parents about the sign/symptoms, 57 (19%) said they will document the signs/symptoms and will make suspicion note on child’s file, 7% agreed to report to a legal authority. Conclusions: Dentists’ knowledge of the signs and social indicators of child abuse and neglect was satisfactory. Dentists should receive detailed education on CA/N in their undergraduate and postgraduate education.