A Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Sexual Abuse among School Children with A View To Develop an Instructional Video

 

Aleena Mariam Alex1, Amal Shaji1, Anju Santhosh1, Ardra. S1, Meenu Elizabeth Varghese1,

Betcy K. Jayims2

1BSc. Nursing Students, Bishop Benziger College of Nursing, Kollam, Kerala, India.

2Associate Professor, Department of Child Health Nursing, Bishop Benziger College of Nursing,

Kollam, Kerala, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: malusnair2002@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

The research project undertaken was “A study to assess the knowledge regarding sexual abuse among school children with a view to develop an instructional video.’’ Objectives: Objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge of school children against sexual abuse and to find out the association between knowledge score and selected demographic variables (age, gender, type of family, primary care giver, birth order of the child, occupation of mother, occupation of father, previous source of information, mode of transportation and tutorial class) and to develop an instructional video on sexual abuse. Research methodology: In this study sample was 100 school children of age between 11 – 12 years. In order to assess the knowledge regarding sexual abuse, purposive sampling technique was adopted. The tool used for data collection was self-structured knowledge questionnaire. The data analysis of the study was based on the objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Findings of the study revealed that none had poor knowledge, 10%had moderate knowledge, 80% had good knowledge and 10% had excellent knowledge regarding sexual abuse. There was significant association between knowledge score and selected demographic variables such as type of family, occupation of mother, occupation of father, previous source of information, and mode of transportation. There was no significant association between knowledge score and selected demographic variables such as age, gender, primary care giver, birth order of the child, availability of tutorial class. Based on findings, the researchers had drawn implication which was vital concerns in the field of nursing practice, nursing administration, and nursing education and also for the future development.

 

KEYWORDS: Assess, Knowledge, Sexual abuse, School children, Instructional video.

 

 


INTRODUCTION:

The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. These words still hold true, reminding us of the vital role we play in shaping the destiny of our great nation. Our actions, thoughts, and dreams will determine the path India follows in the future.

 

Children have the same rights as adults. As a vulnerable group, children have particular rights that recognize their special need for protection and also that help them develop their full potential. Children are not helpless objects of charity or a property of their parents. They are recognized as human beings and the subjects of their own rights. A child is an individual, a family and community member with rights and appropriate responsibilities for his or her age and development stage. Children should enjoy the basic qualities of life as rights rather than privileges accorded to them (CRC, 2006).

Abuse is when someone hurts us or bothers us. This can take many forms, from disrespect to causing physical or emotional distress. This can happen in someone’s home, in a nursing home, in a hospital or in a public place. Often times, criminals take advantage of special relationships. But sometimes adults abuse children and neglect them. It wasn’t until the 19th century that children were given the same legal status as domestic animals when it came to protection from cruelty or neglect. Child abuse involves complex and dangerous issues that include child neglect, physical, emotional abuse and sexual abuse.1

 

According to WHO, child abuse or Abuse is any form of physical and/or emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or negligence in dealing with business or other relationships exploitation, causing actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.

 

The effects of child abuse can be long-lasting and affect the person’s life and mental health. Victims may experience more than non-victims accompanying mental health problems. About 4 times more likely to develop addiction symptoms. About 4 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as an adult. About 3 times more likely to experience major depression as an adult.

 

Insufficient knowledge about sexual abuse in children is a problematic issue, so it seems necessary to design educational programs for the children to increase their knowledge about sexual abuse and strategies for self-protection. Given the growing number of child sexual abuse cases and the lack of awareness among children, parents, educators, and media have critical role in improving the knowledge of children and the society about the sexual abuse in children, and subsequent social and health consequences. It is important to teach the children to identify possible situations of abuse and learn to use of self-protection skills.2

 

Sexual abuse is a real problem in India. Life’s increasing complexity and dramatic changes have brought social and economic changes in India and have played a major role in it increasing the vulnerability of children to various forms of abuse. Sexual abuse has serious physical and psychological consequences that have devastating effects on the overall health and well-being of the child.

 

A personal survey was conducted among teenagers aged 15-19 who were studying in one and two plus classes in selected schools. From 1614 the respondents (688 men and 926 women), 36% men have been abused in one way or another during their life. Feelings of insecurity and separation from home, being hated by parents and depression are the causes among teens who have been sexually abused than among teens those who do not. Girls have a victimization rate of 8.7 percent.3

 

Native Americans or Alaskans have the largest population suffering at 152 per 1,000 children and residents of the same race or race, with African American children having the second highest rate at 13.1 per 1,000 children of a particular race or ethnicity. Child deadly abuse. In 2021, approximately 1,820 children died as a result of abuse negligence in the United States. Males have a higher infant mortality rate of 3.01. per 100,000 compared to girls, or 2.15.4 deaths of African American children (5.6per 100,000) was 2.9 times higher than that of white children (1.94) and 3.9 times higher frequency than Hispanic children (1.44).4

 

In the year 2016 alone, child protection agencies found severe evidence shows that 57,329 children were sexually abused. One of the 9 girls and one boy in 20 under the age of 18 were sexually abused or attacked. 82% of all victims under the age of 18 are women. Females aged 16 to 19 are four times more the victims. All people are likely to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.5

 

Reviews on prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse (CSA) worldwide included studies with adult participants referring on a period of abuse of about 50 years. Included are 55 studies from 24 countries. According to four pre-specified forms of sexual abuse, prevalence estimates range from 8 to 31% for girls and 3 to 17% for boys. 9 girls and 3 boys out of 100 are victims of forced sex. Differences between the first studies were high in all subject’s research.6

 

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is often considered a global problem. Estimates of the prevalence of CSA, or the frequency of CSA range from 8 to 31% of girls and 3 to 17.6% of boys in the world, and 12. 2 to 26.6% of girls and 5.1 to 7.5 % of males in the United States. In India, it is estimated that one in two children is involved in sexual and violent acts. India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that a child is sexually abused every 15 minutes and 53 percent of children report abuse by a parent, relative or friend. Teacher. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) annual report 2021, 31,677 cases of rape were recorded across the country, an average of 86 cases per day, an increase from 2020 to 28,046 cases, while in 2019, cases were recorded 32,033.7

 

In Kerala, a state known for its literacy and healthcare and other human development indicators, also happens to have the second highest number of child rapes in the country, behind Chhattisgarh. During January-July this year, Kerala recorded 983 cases of penetrative sexual assault on children.7 So, we the investigators decided to select this topic for our research study.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

·       Research approach - Quantitative approach

·       Research design - Non experimental descriptive design

·       Study setting - Trinity Lyceum, Kollam.

·       Target population-School children belonging to age group of 11 - 12 years

·       Sampling technique - Purposive sampling technique was used.

·       Sample size - 100 school children

·       Data collection.

·       1. Demographic variables,

2. Self Structured questionnaire

·       Intervention – An instructional video

·       Analysis and interpretation of data by using descriptive and inferential statistics

 


 

RESULTS:

Section A:

Table 1: Description of demographic variables (N=100)

Sl. No.

Socio Demographic Variable

Frequency

%

1

AGE

11 years

61

61

12 years

39

39

2

GENDER

Male

49

49

Female

51

51

3

TYPE OF FAMILY

Nuclear family

64

64

Joint family

34

34

Broken family

2

2

4

Primary care giver

Single parent

17

17

 

Both parent

78

78

Grand parent

4

4

Others

1

1

5

Birth order of child

1st child

53

53

2nd child

42

42

3rd child

4

4

4th child

1

1

6

Occupation of mother

Medical field

4

4

Teaching field

16

16

Government employees

3

3

Private employee

12

12

House wife

59

59

others

6

6

7

Occupation of father

Medical field

5

5

Teaching field

5

5

Government employee

12

12

Private employee

8

8

Others

66

66

Nil

4

4

8

Previous source of information

Yes

66

66

No

34

34

9

Mode of transportation

School bus

23

23

Private bus

21

21

By walking

7

7

Own vehicle

49

49

10

Availability of Tutorial class

Yes

68

68

No

32

32

 

Section B:

Table 2: Assessing the knowledge among school children regarding sexual abuse. (N=100)

Level of knowledge

Score key

Frequency

%

Poor

0-6

0

0

Moderate

7-13

10

10

Good

14-20

80

80

Excellent

21-27

10

10

 

Section C:

Table 3: Association between knowledge score among school children regarding sexual abuse and selected demographic variables.

 Selected demographic variables

Knowledge

Degree of

freedom

Chi square value

Table value

Level of significance at 0.05

Poor

Below average

Average

Above average

1. Age

11 years

0

5

51

5

3

1.25

7.82

NS

12 years

0

5

29

5

 

 

 

 

2. Gender

Male

0

7

40

2

 

 

 

 

Female

0

3

40

8

3

5.14

7.82

NS

3. Type of family

Nuclear

0

8

15

7

 

 

 

 

Joint

0

2

64

2

6

29.08

12.5

S

Broken

0

0

1

1

 

 

9

 

4. Primary caregiver

Single parent

0

1

14

2

 

 

 

 

Both parent

0

8

62 4

8

9

10.35

16.92

NS

Grandparents

0

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

Others

0

1

0

0

 

 

 

 

5. Birth order of the child

1st child

0

5

45

3

 

 

 

 

2nd child

0

5

30 4

7

9

4.8

16.92

NS

3rd child

0

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

4th or above

0

0

1

0

 

 

 

 

6. Occupation of Mother

Medical field

0

0

4

0

 

 

 

 

Teaching field

0

0

14

2

15

56.61

24.99

S

Government Employee

0

0

3

0

 

 

 

 

Private Employee

0

1

9

2

 

 

 

 

House wife

0

7

47

5

 

 

 

 

Others

0

2

3

1

 

 

 

 

7. Occupation of Father

Medical field

0

1

3

1

 

 

 

 

Teaching field

0

0

5

0

15

54.95

24.99

 

Government Employee

0

0

12

0

 

 

 

 

Private Employee

0

1

5

2

 

 

 

 S

Others

0

6

53

7

 

 

 

 

Nil

0

2

2

0

 

 

 

 

8. Previous source of Information

Yes

0

1

59

6

3

16.25

7.82

 S

No

0

9

21

4

 

 

 

 

9. Mode of   Transportation

School bus

0

1

22

0

 

 

 

 

Private bus

0

1

16 1

4

9

21.92

16.92

 S

By walking

0

3

 

3

 

 

 

 

Own vehicle

0

5

41

3

 

 

 

 

10. Tutorial class

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes

0

6

57

5

 

2.17

7.82

 NS

No

0

4

23

5

 

 

 

 

 


DISCUSSION:

Section A: Description of sample characteristics:

This section deals with the result of the sample characteristics under study. It included age, gender, type of family, type of primary caregiver, birth order of child, occupation of mother, occupation of father, previous source of information, mode of transportation, availability of tutorial classes. The demographic characteristics of the selected samples were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequency and percentage distribution.

 

 

Regarding the age of the samples, out of 100 sample, 39% were in the age group of 11 years and 61% were in the age group of 12 years.

 

According to the gender of the samples, out of 100 samples, 49 % were males and 51% were females.

 

With respect to the type of family, 64% were from nuclear family, 34 % were from joint family and 2% were from broken family.

 

Regarding the primary caregiver, 17% had single parents, 78% had both parents, 4% live with grandparents and 1% belonged to other category.

 

According to the birth order of child, 53% were first child, 42% were second child, 4% were third child and 1% were fourth or above.

 

With respect to the occupation of mother, 59% were housewives, 16% were teachers, 12% were private employees, 4% were medical field employees, 3% were government employees, and 6% belonged to other category.

 

With respect to the occupation of father, 8% were private employees, 5% were medical field employee, 5% were teachers, 4% were unemployed and 66% were others (fisherman, drivers, NRI, businessman)

 

According to the previous source of information about sexual abuse, 66% had previous knowledge regarding sexual abuse, 44% didn’t have any knowledge regarding sexual abuse.

 

Regarding the mode of transportation, 23% travelled by school bus, 21 % by private bus, 7% by walking and 49% by their own vehicle.

 

Regarding the availability of tutorial classes, 68% had tutorial class and 32% had no tutorial class.

 

Section B: Assessing the knowledge regarding sexual abuse among school children.

The recent study revealed that out of 100 samples, 0% had poor knowledge, 10% of children had moderate knowledge, 80% had good knowledge, 10% had excellent knowledge.

 

Section C: Association between the knowledge regarding sexual abuse and demographic variables.

The association between the knowledge regarding sexual abuse and demographic variables like age, gender, type of family, type of primary caregiver, birth order of child, occupation of mother, occupation of father, previous source of information, mode of transportation and availability of tutorial classes were computed by Chi-square. In this study, no significant association between knowledge and demographic variables such as age, gender, primary caregiver, birth order of child, availability of tutorial classes (calculated values were less than table value at 0.05 significance) and significant association was found between knowledge and demographic variables such as type of family, occupation of mother, occupation of father, mode of transportation and previous source of information.

 

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3.      ‌Krishnakumar P, Satheesan K, Geeta MG, Sureshkumar K. Prevalence and Spectrum of Sexual Abuse among Adolescents in Kerala, South India. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2013; 81(8): 770–4.

4.      ‌Children and Teens: Statistics | RAINN [Internet]. Rainn.org. RAINN; 2021. Available from: https://www.rainn.org/statistics/ children-and-teens

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6.      Kerala has a growing child rape problem [Internet]. news.knowledia.com. 2023 [cited 2024 Mar 23]. Available from: https://news.knowledia.com/IN/en/articles/kerala-has-a-growing-child-rape-problem-f9812aa1b0aadc070e77fc8bc2bb39d8b73e3e6e

7.      Ojha R. A Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Sexual Abuse among School-going Children: Indian Journal of Youth and Adolescent Health (E-ISSN: 2349-2880) [Internet]. 2021; 8(4): 28–30. Available from: https:// medical.advancedresearchpublications.com/index.php/IndianJ-YouthandAdolescentHeatlh/article/view/867

 

 

Received on 23.04.2024         Modified on 01.06.2024

Accepted on 04.07.2024       ©A&V Publications All right reserved

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2024; 3(3):84-88.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2024.19