Reporting child abuse : a survey of primary care physicians in Bahrain

Abstract EN

Objectives : To assess the reporting practices of primary care physicians regarding suspected child abuse cases and to identify reasons affecting their reporting behaviors. Method : A descriptive cross-sectional study including all primary care physicians working in the public sector in Bahrain using a self-filled structured questionnaire was conducted in June / July 2006. Results and discussion : The response rate was 61.5 %.

The most frequent types of child abuse named by the physicians Were : physical 87.9 % and sexual 87.1 %.

Around 70 % were not able to name negligence or psychological, emotional abuse.

Although 60% of the physicians had suspected child abuse cases in the year before the study, only 40 % of the suspected cases were reported to the Child Abuse Protection Committee.

Bahraini, experienced physicians were more likely to report child abuse cases (P = 0.022, 0.013 respectively). The commonest causes for not reporting were related to the concern about the negative impact this issue might have on the relationship of the physician with other family members and to the uncertainty about the legal obligation to report.

The lack of awareness about the reporting process and short consultation time plays a role also.

The preferred action taken by the physicians if they suspected child abuse was to discuss the issue with the family. Conclusion : Improving doctors’ knowledge about child abuse types and presentation, training them through workshops and continuing medical education and the introduction of standardized forms could help to increase the reporting of child abuse cases and to reduce the gap between the identified and the reported cases.