The levels of information and awareness about child abuse and neglect of doctors and nurses working in pediatric clinics in the city center of Trabzon

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the knowledge and awareness of pediatricians and nurses working in pediatric clinics on child abuse and neglect. Method: The study was descriptive and carried out between January and December 2016 with 53 physicians and 180 nurses who volunteered and work in the pediatric clinics of Trabzon provincial center hospitals after taking the necessary permits. The data were collected by the "Introductory Information Form" and the "Scale Form for Diagnosis of Symptoms and Risks of Child Abuse and Neglect". Findings: It was found that 58.5% of participant physicians and 97.2% of nurses were female; 58.5% of the physicians were between 27-35 years of age; nurse group were evenly distributed in all age groups and majority of them (66% of physicians, 58.3% of nurses) were married. It was found that 43.4% of physicians and 25% of nurses were trained on child abuse and neglect and there was a statistically significant difference between their education status (p=0.010). The average score of the physician's diagnosis of symptoms and risks of child abuse and neglect (3.92±0.32) was higher than that of nurses (3.63±0.34) and the average of scale scores of participants trained in child abuse and neglect (physician 4.05±0.33, nurse 3.77±0.42) were found to be significantly higher than those who did not receive education. Conclusion: It was seen that physicians and nurses had a moderate level of knowledge and awareness about child abuse and neglect, lack of knowledge about the legal obligation and notification process and most of them were not educated about child abuse and neglect. Key Words: abuse, neglect, awareness, physician, nurse, child