Child Abuse

calculation are the direct costs associated with treatment, visits to the hospital and doctor, and other health services. In 1996, “the financial cost associated with child abuse and neglect in the United States was estimated at some US.4 billion.” (Kempe,1962)

From my point of view, child abuse is serious hidden problem, which I had already suffered in my childhood in side home. But the role of professionals at that age 1990 was not effective. Otherwise, I could have been protected. I believe that health care professionals have a key part to play in identifying, treating and referring cases of abuse and neglect and in reporting suspected cases of maltreatment to the appropriate authorities. It is vital that cases of child maltreatment are detected early on, so as to minimize the consequences for the child and to launch the necessary services as soon as possible.

As I mentioned above, I can conclude that child abuse is a serious global health problem. It has different types, and every type leads to different short and long term consequences. Many factors were responsible to increase voluntarily of child abuse. Prevention methods can be applicable on known cases which reach the clinical levels; however, we can’t predict the violence forms if they are hidden inside houses secrets.

The complex nature of child abuse doesn\’t allow for easy solutions. But nurses who work with children and families in various health care, education, and social service settings can play a key role in stopping neglect and abuse before they begin. Here\’s how. Primary prevention targets the general population. Public service announcements encourage positive discipline techniques, media campaigns tell people how and where to report suspected abuse. And parent-education programs teach parents about child development and parenting skills. For example, expectant and new parents may know little about the basics of child care. They typically know even less about a child\’s emotional, social, and medical needs; the stages of normal development; and how critically the first 3 years of life affect development. Seize your opportunities to teach and model behaviors in clinic settings, childbirth and parenting classes, home visits, and parent support groups

I recommend we should not take a defeatist attitude toward child prevention. Despite the absence of strong evidence to guide our preventive efforts, nurses can do many things to try to prevent abuse. At the very least, showing increased concern for the parents or caregivers and increasing our attempts to enhance their skills as parents or caregivers may help save our most vulnerable patients from the nightmare of abuse and neglect. Recognition and awareness, although essential elements for effective prevention, are only part of the solution. Prevention efforts and policies must directly address children, their caregivers and the environments in which they live in order to prevent potential abuse from occurring and to deal effectively with cases of abuse and neglect that have taken place.

References :

– Kempe,CH et al. The battered child syndrome. Journal of the American Medical

Association, 1962,181:17–24.

– Key,j (1999). Protecting children. New York. Continuum

– Macmillan HL, MacMillan JH, Offord DR, Griffith L, MacMillan A. Primary

prevention of child physical abuse and neglect: a critical review. Part I. J Child

Psychol Psychiatry 1994;35(5):835-56.

-Bethea,L(1999).Primary prevention of child abuse

From http://www.rcn.org rcn.org.ukww.rcn.org.uk

– Kathleen,M(2004).How to recognize and respond to child abuse

From http://www.findarticles.com/

Pages: 1 2 3 4