RESUMO
Childhood sexual abuse (CSA), a global public health problem, is often underreported especially in low-income countries such as El Salvador, and prevention efforts are needed. The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge, attitudes and experiences of CSA prevention and characteristics related to greater knowledge and openness to engaging in child abuse prevention among Salvadoran parents. Salvadoran parents (N = 478) completed questionnaires regarding demographics, definition and signs and symptoms of child abuse, personal experiences of CSA, CSA prevention training, and knowledge, attitudes and practices about preventing CSA. Most parents were knowledgeable about CSA, viewed CSA prevention as their responsibility, and had talked with their children about CSA, although 65.7% incorrectly believed that children are more likely to be abused by strangers. Parents with lower income were less knowledgeable and willing to participate in CSA prevention. CSA programing needs to involve parents and specifically target low-income parents.
Assuntos
Abuso Sexual na Infância/prevenção & controle , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Pais , Pobreza , Adulto , Criança , El Salvador , Feminino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
Emetophobia is an under-researched disorder characterized by a specific fear of vomiting. There is a paucity of research on this impairing condition, with extant examinations being largely limited to adult samples and online communities. The present study examined the incidence, phenomenology, and correlates of emetophobia in 305 Salvadorian youths. Caregivers completed a battery of questionnaires regarding the youth's symptoms of emetophobia, internalizing/externalizing symptoms, health anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Approximately 7.5 % of the sample was elevated on emetophobia symptoms, and higher levels of emetophobia symptoms were correlated with higher levels of internalizing, externalizing, health anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and lower levels of adaptive functioning. Youths meeting the cutoff for elevated emetophobia symptoms versus those who did not demonstrated significantly higher levels of externalizing behaviors, as well as general obsessive-compulsive symptoms, especially doubting/checking and neutralizing behaviors. These findings are hoped to help improve the conceptualization and treatment of this poorly understood disorder.
Assuntos
Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Comportamento Infantil/psicologia , Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo , Transtornos Fóbicos , Vômito/psicologia , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , El Salvador/epidemiologia , Emoções , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo/diagnóstico , Transtorno Obsessivo-Compulsivo/psicologia , Transtornos Fóbicos/diagnóstico , Transtornos Fóbicos/epidemiologia , Transtornos Fóbicos/psicologia , Isolamento Social/psicologia , Estatística como Assunto , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a global health problem that must be addressed. In a country with limited resources such as El Salvador, we sought an alternative way to disseminate CSA prevention information to elementary school children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention exhibit at a children's museum. METHODS: We asked 189 children to answer a questionnaire about CSA prevention before entering a museum exhibit on the subject and then asked 59 different children to answer the questionnaire after visiting the exhibit. FINDINGS: Children's knowledge scores on CSA prevention significantly improved after visiting the exhibit (P < .012). CONCLUSIONS: A museum exhibit that addresses CSA prevention is an effective way of communicating CSA prevention to children.
Assuntos
Abuso Sexual na Infância/prevenção & controle , Países em Desenvolvimento , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Educação Sexual/métodos , Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Criança , El Salvador , Educação em Saúde/métodos , Humanos , Museus , Avaliação de Programas e Projetos de Saúde , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Research on how to prevent child sexual abuse (CSA) in developing nations is practically non-existent. We sought to determine Salvadoran teachers' knowledge, attitudes, experience and barriers to CSA detection and reporting to assess the need for a CSA prevention programme and to assess barriers in conducting such a programme. One hundred teachers completed a questionnaire while they visited the Tin Marin Children's Museum in San Salvador. Nineteen of these teachers also participated in a focus group. We found that 89% of teachers reported at least two signs and symptoms of child abuse. One hundred per cent of teachers agreed that it is their responsibility to teach students about sexual abuse. Unusual for a study of this kind, parental migration was mentioned as making children vulnerable to CSA, and fear of gang violence and retribution was identified as interfering with teachers' ability to protect children. We conclude that Salvadoran teachers were knowledgeable about CSA detection and reporting and would support a programme in which they are trained to speak to their students about this topic. Barriers to reporting child abuse, such as teachers' safety and fear, need to be addressed in future CSA prevention programmes.