PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS' KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS FOR IDENTIFYING CHILD ABUSE AND THEIR REACTIONS TO ITS OCCURRENCE IN OLUYOLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Child Abuse (CA) is a global public health phenomenon and teachers can play vital roles in its identification and prevention. Although previous studies have shown its magnitude, causes and control in community settings, the role of primary school teachers in preventing CA have not been adequately investigated in Nigeria. This study therefore assessed teachers’ knowledge, skills in identifying CA and reactions in Oluyole Local Government Area, Oyo State. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving a four-stage sampling technique which included proportionate and simple random techniques used to select 422 consented teachers. A validated, interviewer-administered semi-questionnaire was used to elicit information relating to socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, skills for identifying CA and action taken on CA. Respondents’ knowledge of CA was measured on a 43-point scale, skill for identification on 24-point and self-efficacy on 18-point scales. Knowledge scores of ≤20, >20-30 and >30 were categorized as poor, fair and good respectively. Skills for identifying CA score ≤12 and >12 were rated inadequate and adequate, also self-efficacy scores ≤10 and >10 were rated inadequate and adequate. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Chi-square at 5% level of significance. Respondents’ age was 47.1 ± 5.9 years, 82.0% were females, and 70.9% had National Certificate of Education. Knowledge of CA was 16.4%, 50.0% and 33.6% for poor, fair and good respectively. The score for skills in identifying signs of CA was 59.7% and 40.3% for inadequate and adequate respectively. Also, 97.2% had adequate self-efficacy score. Religion, age group and years of experience were significantly related to knowledge of CA. The score for skills was not significantly related to knowledge of CA . A large majority (73.5%) had observed children with unexplained bruises, overly withdrawn (59.7%) and pregnant (57.5%). Over half of the respondents (51.4%) did nothing after they encountered children that gave conflicting explanation on how he/she got injuries, engage in hawking (58.8%), and involved in scavenging (58.0%). Majority of those that took action reported to parent after they observed children that were extremely not active (58.4%), had information on sexual matters which are beyond their age (55.3%) and became pregnant while in school (53.5%). Respondents had fair knowledge but inadequate skills in identifying child abuse. Actions taken were focused on the parent. Child protection training that focuses on improvement of knowledge of child abuse, the skills for identifying child abuse and appropriate action is therefore recommended.