WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Khunaw A. Mohammed, Huda S. Saeed* and Eman A. Al-Kaseer

ABSTRACT

Background: Child maltreatment is reported in all cultures globally. It usually resulted from interactions of many factors (parental depression, stress, and social isolation, etc.…). Child abuse has become an increasingly widespread phenomenon in Iraq, with social networking sites playing a major role in detecting any abuse and torture cases. Objective: To identify the perception of child abuse and its types among professionals whom in close contact with children. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in Kirkuk city- Iraq. A total of 340 professionals closed to children (doctors working at PHCCs, school and kindergarten teachers) participated in the study. A questionnaire with a known reliability and validity was used. Data were collected by face to face interviews. Chi square test was used. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Kindergarten teachers had the highest perception for child’s abuse among other professionals (52; 83.9%), while schoolteachers had the least one among the study sample (141; 71.2%). School teachers and doctors had a significant high perception for neglect abuse (p = 0.00). Kindergarten teachers had a significant high perception for physical abuse (p = 0.00). All the three professionals had a significant low perception for sexual abuse (p = 0.00). Conclusions: Awareness of child abuse and neglect is improving in Iraq. Physical abuse and neglect were shown to be the most prevalent forms of maltreatment of children in Kirkuk city.

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