KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND EDUCTIONAL EXPERIENCES OF A GROUP OF EGYPTIAN DENTAL STUDENTS REGARDING PHYSICAL CHILD ABUSE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and educational experiences of a group of Egyptian dental students regarding physical child abuse. Methodology: A cross-sectional study performed in the Faculty of Dentistry ,Cairo University during the academic year (2019-2020). The data regarding knowledge, attitudes and educational experiences toward physical child abuse were collected through an anonymous, self administrated structured questionnaire completed by 489 Egyptian dental students (256 female /233 male) in three different dental classes (third, fourth and fifth).The collected data were statistically analysed. Results: The response rate was 75.2 %. Half of the repondents believed that a strong correlation existed between dental neglect and presence of physical child abuse. About 79.92% of the respondents believed that dentists were legally required to report child abuse. Most students reported that their dental school was the main source of information about this topic. Only 20.55% of the respondents had received enough formal training in recognition and reporting physical child abuse. Conclusion: Egyptain dental students had insufficient knowledge about physical child abuse and dental curriculm should be improved to focus on improving their education about detecting and reporting child abuse.

Keywords

Advanced Dental Journal
Volume 5, Issue 3
July 2023
Pages 507-516

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