Knowledge and attitudes toward child abuse and neglect among medical and dental undergraduate students and interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Gopalakrishna, Vidyullatha; Basheer, Bahija; Alzomaili, Afnan; Aldaham, Atheer; Abalhassan, Ghaida; Almuziri, Hend; Alatyan, Maha; AlJofan, Mona; AlKaoud, Reem

doi:10.4103/ijas.ijas_21_19

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This intention was not correlated with the faculty to which the students belonged, their gender, or the year of their studies. A similar need was shown in other studies as well [ 16 , 17 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…However, even in the case that they have been educated, it is still possible to feel rather unprepared, as shown by a Saudi Arabian study on the knowledge and attitudes of medical and dental students and interns regarding CAN. According to this study, there was no significant correlation between previous training on CAN and the level of knowledge of the subjects [ 17 ]. This implied that there is a great need for a more structured systematic approach to the training of future healthcare professionals in this field, possibly similar to the one described in a publication concerning train-the-trainer and workshop modules performed in Greece that targeted the improvement of the knowledge of physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding child physical abuse [ 18 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Nursing Students in Greece Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect

et al. 2022

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Data on the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare practitioners in training regarding child abuse and neglect (CAN) are scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes regarding CAN of medical and nursing students in Greek universities. We performed a questionnaire-based e-survey on a convenience sample of students and recruited 609 students (366 medical and 243 nursing). An unsatisfactory level of knowledge in the field was reported overall. Most of the students (92.2%) were aware of their future responsibility to protect vulnerable children and report suspected cases of CAN; at the same time, they were willing to obtain further education. Based on the above, appropriate training in the undergraduate curriculum should be developed in order to strengthen future healthcare practitioners and boost their confidence in dealing with suspected cases of CAN and protect children’s welfare.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Nursing Students in Greece Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect

et al. 2022

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“…25 Likewise, the response time for cardiac patients in Riyadh was 13 minutes, which does not meet the international standard response time of 8 minutes. 26 The delayed response time can be correlated with the increased workload besides the traffic congestion that prevents a smooth response and transport of those in need. Indeed, such indicators require investigating the parts of the city that are known for delays, if possible, and redistributing ambulances to ensure a quicker response time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The characteristics and distribution of emergency medical services in Saudi Arabia

et al. 2023

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BACKGROUND: Emergency medical services (EMS) play an essential role in treating and transporting patients to hospitals or between hospitals. EMS providers must be distributed wisely across all regions of the country to meet healthcare needs during normal times and disasters. No previous study has investigated the characteristics and distribution of the EMS workforce in Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: Examine the characteristics and distribution of the EMS workforce in Saudi Arabia to identify gaps and areas in need of improvement. Also, explore the sociodemographic and educational characteristics of licensed EMS providers in Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional SETTINGS: EMS in Saudi Arabia METHODS: We included all licensed EMS providers in Saudi Arabia as of 23 December 2020 who were registered in the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) database. Sociodemographics, where they earned certification, and their job affiliations were collected and categorized. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: EMS workforce distribution, gender, and EMS provider-to-population ratio. SAMPLE SIZE: 18 336 EMS providers; 8812 (48.1%) with documented job affiliations. RESULTS: The EMS provider-to-population ratio is very low. In Saudi Arabia, in general, the ratio is 1:3871 (based on n=8812 providers), which is low compared to the 1:1400 ratio for Australian EMS provider-to-population, for example. That makes it a challenge for EMS providers to meet the population’s needs, especially in times of disaster. The low ratio may have contributed to the delayed response time in Saudi Arabia (13 minutes for critical cases) which does not meet the international standard response time (8 minutes maximum). Also, only 3.5% of the total EMS providers registered were females, and the clear majority of all EMS providers were technicians. CONCLUSIONS: The growth in the EMS workforce, including the recruitment of more females into the workforce and more EMS specialists compared to EMS technicians and health assistants, is critical to reaching a satisfactory EMS provider-to-population ratio. LIMITATIONS: Most noteworthy of the limitations of this research are the insufficient statistics describing EMS distribution in Saudi Arabia, the lack of previous studies on the research topic in Saudi Arabia, and job affiliation not accurately recorded in the SCFHS database. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

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“…However, a concerning 64% of physicians recorded underreporting of child abuse cases, indicating the presence of barriers hindering the reporting process. Gopalakrishna et al (2020) [ 6 ] conducted a cross-sectional study among medical and dental undergraduate students and interns in Riyadh. The results highlighted that approximately 57.5% of participants had received formal training on CAN during their undergraduate studies.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Interestingly, some studies unearthed barriers to reporting CAN cases, which warrant careful consideration. Gopalakrishna et al [ 6 ] indicated that the fear of consequences was a significant deterrent among medical and dental students, pointing to a potential apprehension among future healthcare providers. Similarly, Salami and Alhalal [ 14 ] found that uncertainty was a major reason for underreporting among nurses.…”

Section: Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect Among the Saudi Population: A Narrative Review

Alruwaili,

Alanazi,

Alrawaili

et al. 2023

Cureus

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Child abuse and neglect (CAN) is a pressing global issue with profound implications for the well-being of children. The aim of this review is to examine the existing literature and synthesize evidence on the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward child abuse and neglect within the Saudi population. This review synthesizes the existing literature to illuminate the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes surrounding CAN within the Saudi population. Ten studies spanning the years 2019-2023 were meticulously analyzed, offering a comprehensive snapshot of CAN perceptions across various segments of society. The studies, encompassing diverse methodologies and populations, collectively underscore the commendable levels of awareness and knowledge demonstrated by healthcare professionals, including primary healthcare (PHC) physicians, nurses, and medical practitioners. Notably, several studies reveal that these professionals exhibit robust recognition of different forms of child abuse, a vital aspect in the identification and prevention of abuse cases. While positive attitudes toward CAN were prevalent among healthcare providers, barriers to reporting were highlighted. The fear of consequences and uncertainty emerged as key deterrents to reporting among medical and dental students and nurses, respectively. These findings emphasize the necessity for creating supportive environments that empower professionals to report suspected cases of abuse while addressing apprehensions. The parental perception of CAN also came into focus, revealing a disparity between the recognition of CAN as a common problem and the adequate knowledge of emotional abuse and neglect. These findings point toward a need for targeted public awareness campaigns that differentiate between disciplinary practices and abusive behaviors. In conclusion, this review offers a nuanced understanding of the Saudi population's awareness, knowledge, and attitudes toward child abuse and neglect. The synthesis of findings across diverse studies informs future interventions, advocating for enhanced awareness, reporting, and prevention strategies. By empowering individuals and professionals alike, a safer environment for Saudi children can be nurtured, fostering a future free from the shadows of abuse and neglect.

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Knowledge and attitudes toward child abuse and neglect among medical and dental undergraduate students and interns in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cited by 10 publications

References 11 publications

Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Nursing Students in Greece Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect

Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Nursing Students in Greece Regarding Child Abuse and Neglect

The characteristics and distribution of emergency medical services in Saudi Arabia

The Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect Among the Saudi Population: A Narrative Review

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