Awareness And Practices Regarding Prevention Of Child Abuse Among Mothers Of School Children

The present study was intended to assess the awareness and practices regarding prevention of child abuse among mothers of school children. The objectives of the study were to assess awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse, to assess practices of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse, and to determine the association of awareness and practices regarding prevention of child abuse with selected socio personal variables. The conceptual framework was based on Nola J Pender’s Health Promotion model. Research design adopted was cross sectional design. Sample consisted of 170 mothers of school children attending out patient department of Pediatric Medicine, Government T.D Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha. Socio personal data sheet, Questionnaire to assess awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and checklist to assess the practices of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse were completed by self-report from the mothers of school children. The study findings showed that 11.2% of mothers had good awareness regarding prevention of child abuse and 11.2% of mothers had poor awareness. Awareness of mothers regarding the prevention of child abuse had a mean score of 13.98 with standard deviation 2.85. The study findings showed that 30% of mothers had good practices regarding prevention of child abuse and none of mothers had poor practices. There was significant association between awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and education of mothers. But there was no significant association between awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and other socio personal variables. There was no significant association between practices of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and socio personal variables. Background: According to WHO, nearly 3 in 4 children or 300 million children aged 2–4 years regularly suffer physical punishment and/or psychological violence at the hands of parents and caregivers. One in 5 women and 1 in 13 men reported being sexually abused as a child. It is estimated that 120 million girls and young women under 20 years of age have suffered some form of forced sexual contact.1. India has approximately 440 million children, accounting for more than 40% of the population. The Ministry of Women and Child Development of Government of India conducted a survey in 2007 which showed that the prevalence of all forms of child abuse is extremely high; the prevalence of physical abuse was 69%, sexual abuse was 53%, and in case of emotional abuse every second child reported facing emotional abuse and in 83% of cases parents were the abusers. Children between 5 to 12 years are at highest risk for abuse and exploitation. 2 Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of school children aged 6 to 12 years attending the Pediatric Medicine OPD of Government T.D Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha. Mothers were selected consecutively. The tools used in the study were socio personal data sheet, questionnaire to assess awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse, and checklist to assess the practices of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse. Results: The study findings showed that 11.2% of mothers had good awareness regarding prevention of child abuse and 11.2% of mothers had poor awareness. The study findings showed that majority (70%) of mothers had fair practices regarding prevention of child abuse and none of mothers had poor practices. There was significant association between awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and education of mothers. But there was no significant association between awareness of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and other socio personal variables. There was no significant association between practices of mothers regarding prevention of child abuse and socio personal variables. Conclusion: The researchers concluded that the mothers should be educated regarding the general information regarding child abuse, physical and emotional abuse. They should be empowered regarding the practices that they should follow in order to prevent abuse of their children