Assessment of Teachers’ Knowledge about Child abuse at AL Nasiriya Primary Schools

Background: One of the most pressing issues concerning child health and well-being is child abuse; it remains to be particular and major risk to the emotional and social well-being of the children worldwide. As pupils spend long time in school, the teachers must be qualified to identify physical and behavioral fluctuations related to abuse to assuredly determine the reason and design interventions properly. The insufficient data and information result in a break in the vitalduty of teachers in determination and initial assistance in case of child abuse. Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the information of the primary school teachers on identifying and reporting of child abuse and to identify any link between the teachers’ knowledge with designated sociodemographic variables. Methodology: A descriptive design was applied during the study, which include 100 primary school teachers from 6 selected schools in Al-Nasiriyah city. The tool used for data collection were a designed questionnaire on signs and symptoms of child abuse. Results: Mostof the school teachers (74%) had low knowledge on child abuse. Regarding association between knowledge and certain sociodemographic variables, no significant statistical association found except for Receive educational training courses in child abuse (p<.05). Conclusion: Child abuse is an international concern, children experience abuse in several types, and additional awareness will assist in fighting this issues. Teachers’ knowledge have to be improved by applying attentiveness programs on child abuse.