The impact of child abuse education on the knowledge levels and attitudes toward reporting child abuse among pediatric nurses

This study was conducted as a quasi-experimental study with the aim of determining the knowledge levels regarding child abuse and measuring attitudes towards reporting among pediatric nurses working at the Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, a single-center institution. A total of 60 nurses participated in the study. The study data were collected in three stages: before the training, immediately after the training, and one month after the training. Multiple-choice questions were prepared to measure knowledge levels by reviewing the literature, and the Attitudes Toward Reporting Child Abuse Scale for Healthcare Workers was used to measure reporting attitudes. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 statistical software. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was calculated, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. In the statistical analysis, it was found that the ability of nurses to define types of child abuse was %18,3 in the initial assessment, %68,3 in the second assessment, and %75 in the third assessment. Regarding recognizing and reporting child abuse, %15 answered affirmatively in the initial assessment, %35 in the second assessment, and %40 in the third assessment. When assessing knowledge of reporting child abuse, %50 claimed knowledge in the initial assessment, 95% in the second assessment, and %96,7 in the third assessment. The recognition of reporting child abuse as part of the duty and responsibility of pediatric nurses was %86,7 in the initial assessment, %100 in the second assessment, and %100 in the third assessment. When comparing the total score averages of the Attitudes Toward Reporting Child Abuse Scale before the training, immediately after the training, and one month after the training, statistical significance was found (p=0.01). According to the results of the research, it was observed that the provided training increased knowledge levels, nurses felt more competent in reporting after the training, their knowledge about legal obligations increased, and their attitudes towards reporting changed. As indicated by this research, in-service training should be planned and implemented, and child abuse topics should be added to nursing education programs to increase the knowledge levels of nurses/nursing candidates. Nurses should be taught that reporting is their legal obligation, and they should be informed about the reporting prIIocess. Keywords: Child abuse; pediatric nurse; reporting.