Mothers' Knowledge and Perception of Child Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACT

Background: Sexual abuse in children is a significant public health problem and represents the least reported but the most devastating major form of child abuse all over the world. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and perception of child sexual abuse among Christian women in Port Harcourt. Methods: This study was conducted among women attending a Christian women convention. Using a structured; anonymous and self-administered questionnaire; data collected included bio data; awareness information; response and practices. Data was entered into a Microsoft Excel Spread sheet and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred and fifty-eight women participated in the study of whom 127 (80.4) were married and 51 (32.3) belonged to the 30-39 years age bracket. Twenty-two (13.9) respondents had never heard about sexual abuse in children; whilst 70 of them (44.2) knew that under-five children can also be victims. Forty four percent of the respondents believed the abuser is not someone closely related to the child. In case of rape; seeking medical care will be the first line of action for 119 (75) respondents and only 55 (34.7) will report the case to the police. Unwanted pregnancy was the single most quoted consequence of child sexual abuse; shame and stigmatization the greatest challenges faced by the family. Conclusion: The study shows that mothers who should play a major role in the prevention of sexual abuse in children have poor knowledge about the topic. There is therefore need for awareness/enlightenment campaigns about child sexual abuse targeted at parents; especially mothers