A qualitative study on factors influencing of reporting potential child maltreat cases among health care workers

Objective To understand the factors that influence the reporting of potential child maltreat cases among health care workers,and to give some evidence for the management of child maltreat.Methods Health care workers in MCH hospitals,children's hospitals,community health care centers and township hospitals from Hunan,Zhejiang,Shanxi and Guangdong were selected,and personal in-depth interviews were conducted.Results The barriers to reporting suspected child abuse cases can be broadly classified into four groups:(1) lack of complete management system of child abuse;(2) lack of knowledge and recognition of child abuse;(3) attitudes toward child abuse and reporting;and (4) concerns about the impact of reporting on the victims,families and/or themselves.Conclusion The anti-family violence law of the People's Republic of China stops a gap in management of child maltreat,however,the abilities of health care workers should be improved and the concerns should be dispelled in order to promote the reporting.