Pediatrician knowledge, perception, and experience on child abuse and neglect in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and professional experience of pediatricians in Saudi Arabia regarding child abuse and neglect. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study during a one day pediatric conference held on King King Abdulaziz University Hospital, a tertiary care teaching hospital in western Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study targeted 198 attendees who were invited from different healthcare sectors in the country. RESULTS: The overall knowledge of participants about some important aspects of child abuse and negligence was adequate, ranging between 82% and 91%. However, their knowledge about reporting cases of child abuse and neglect was quite deficient, ranging between 66% and 79%. As for "professional experience about child abuse and negligence," it showed considerable variation between participants ranging between 43% and 82%, in which pediatricians who received their medical education in Saudi Arabia scored statistically significantly higher, while pediatricians who received their medical education in Western countries scored higher in all other aspects of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, the knowledge and clinical experience on the subject of child abuse and neglect in Saudi Arabia is enough to adopt a comprehensive strategy for the prevention and interventions of child maltreatment at all levels. Pediatricians are expected to play a key role by leading and facilitating this process.