Knowledge and attitudes of physicians serving in the central district of Edirne and likely to encounter cases of child abuse and neglect

Child abuse and neglect, a significant public health issue that has been present throughout human history, causes individual and societal deep wounds. This study aims to determine the knowledge levels and evaluate the approaches of physicians who play important roles in the recognition and prevention of child abuse and neglect. The study is descriptive and cross-sectional, conducted between July 2022 and May 2023, with 236 physicians working in the Emergency Unit, Pediatry, and Family Physician units in the central district of Edirne. Data collection was carried out using a 32 questions survey form developed by the researchers based on the literature and a 67 questions "Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Risk Scale". Of the participating physicians, 38.6% received education on child abuse during their medical school or after graduation, and more than half of those who received education (51.6%) found it insufficient. 90.7% of the physicians expressed a desire to have more knowledge about child abuse and neglect. 68.2% of the physicians encountered abuse/neglect cases in their professional lives, with physical abuse being the most common type (64.5%). Among the challenges faced by physicians encountering child abuse and neglect in their professional lives, history-taking ranked first at 66.4%. 72.9% of the physicians were not aware of the existence of child abuse and neglect procedures in their institutions. The average score from the overall Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition and Risk Scale for the participating physicians was calculated as 3.9 ± 0.3. Statistically significant differences were found among the physicians' knowledge levels based on title, specialty, institution of practice, ability to recognize and distinguish abuse and neglect cases, personal history of abuse/neglect in childhood, and encountering physical abuse cases. In conclusion, it is observed that physicians have insufficient knowledge and awareness in some areas related to child abuse and neglect, and they face challenges in managing the process in encountered cases. Training provided both before and after graduation should aim to keep physicians' knowledge and awareness at the highest level.