Burcu Selvi ÇALIŞKAN, Evin TEKİN, Erol ORAL, Melek ALTUN
Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi - 2026;12(3):232-237
Objective: Child abuse and neglect is a major public health concern requiring early recognition and timely intervention. Pediatric nurses play a critical role in identifying the signs and risk factors associated with abuse and neglect. This study aimed to determine pediatric nurses' levels of recognizing the signs and risks of child abuse and neglect and to examine their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between August and October 2025 in a university hospital in Istanbul. A total of 106 pediatric nurses participated voluntarily. Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form and the Scale for Identifying the Signs and Risks of Child Abuse and Neglect. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.37+/-7.45 years, and 93.4% were female. The mean total scale score was 263.00+/-28.13. Significant positive correlations were found between total and subscale scores (p<0.01). Total scores decreased with increasing age and professional experience (p<0.05), and total scale scores differed significantly according to working unit (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pediatric nurses demonstrated varying levels of recognition of the signs and risks of child abuse and neglect. Recognition scores decreased with increasing age and professional experience. Continuous in-service education and unit-specific training programs are recommended to strengthen nurses' ability to recognize child abuse and neglect.
