Assess the Knowledge Regarding Child Abuse among Mothers of Children under 12 Years of Age

Abstract

Child abuse is one of the most significant social problems affecting children. Violence by a husband toward a pregnant wife may be a type of prenatal child abuse, on a conscious or subconscious level. The abuse may kill or handicap the child. Post natal child abuse or neglect is one of the most serious problem confronting the physician and nurse who care for children. Child abuse can also occur in day care centers, school and child care agencies. Abused children may have had an earlier diagnosis of failure to thrive. (Barbara A Redding 2009) Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional maltreatment or neglect of children. In the US the centre for disease control and prevention (CDC) define child maltreatment as any act and series of act of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that result in harm, potential for harm or threat of harm to a child. Child abuse is a complex phenomenon with multiple causes. Parents who physically abuse their spouse are more likely than others to physically abuse their children. However it is impossible to whether marital stress is cause of child abuse are caused by tendencies in their abuser.