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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Evaluation of Greek midwives’ knowledge of child maltreatment and the effectiveness of an educational intervention
1
Department of Midwifery Science, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece
2
Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, School of Sciences, University of
Thessaly, Lamia, Greece
3
School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
4
Department of Midwifery, School of Health and Care Sciences, West Attica University, Athens, Greece
Publication date: 2025-10-24
Eur J Midwifery 2025;9(Supplement 1):A37
ABSTRACT
Abstract Overview:
Child maltreatment is a critical global issue with detrimental impacts on both physical and mental health, affecting approximately 400 million children worldwide. Despite midwives' unique position in safeguarding children, studies indicate that they often lack the necessary knowledge to identify the signs and risks of child abuse, thereby limiting their effectiveness in this role.
Aims and Objectives:
This study aimed to determine Greek midwivesâ€TM knowledge regarding child abuse and neglect (CAN) and to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted training intervention designed to improve their ability to recognize symptoms and risks associated with child maltreatment.
Methods:
A total of 493 Greek registered midwives participated in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected alongside responses to the Scale for the Identification and Risks of Child Abuse and Neglect (SISRCAN), a tool used to measure midwives’ understanding of CAN. A 2- hour training program on child abuse and neglect was subsequently delivered to 96 midwives. Data collection occurred at three intervals: prior to the intervention, immediately after, and six months later.
Results:
The mean SISRCAN score increased significantly from 242.80 (±26.65) before the intervention to 291.23 (±23.26) immediately post-intervention (p < 0.001). Although there was a decline to 277.79 (±26.81) at the six-month follow-up, the score remained significantly higher than the baseline (p < 0.001). Notably, a significant difference between the immediate post- intervention and the six-month scores (p < 0.001) suggests a partial loss of the acquired knowledge over time.
Conclusion:
The educational intervention effectively enhanced Greek midwives’ knowledge in diagnosing the symptoms and risks of CAN. To sustain these improvements and strengthen child safeguarding practices, it is imperative that comprehensive training on child abuse and neglect be integrated into both undergraduate and postgraduate midwifery education. Health policymakers should prioritize such educational initiatives to empower midwives in their critical role as child protectors.
Child maltreatment is a critical global issue with detrimental impacts on both physical and mental health, affecting approximately 400 million children worldwide. Despite midwives' unique position in safeguarding children, studies indicate that they often lack the necessary knowledge to identify the signs and risks of child abuse, thereby limiting their effectiveness in this role.
Aims and Objectives:
This study aimed to determine Greek midwivesâ€TM knowledge regarding child abuse and neglect (CAN) and to evaluate the effectiveness of a targeted training intervention designed to improve their ability to recognize symptoms and risks associated with child maltreatment.
Methods:
A total of 493 Greek registered midwives participated in the study. Sociodemographic data were collected alongside responses to the Scale for the Identification and Risks of Child Abuse and Neglect (SISRCAN), a tool used to measure midwives’ understanding of CAN. A 2- hour training program on child abuse and neglect was subsequently delivered to 96 midwives. Data collection occurred at three intervals: prior to the intervention, immediately after, and six months later.
Results:
The mean SISRCAN score increased significantly from 242.80 (±26.65) before the intervention to 291.23 (±23.26) immediately post-intervention (p < 0.001). Although there was a decline to 277.79 (±26.81) at the six-month follow-up, the score remained significantly higher than the baseline (p < 0.001). Notably, a significant difference between the immediate post- intervention and the six-month scores (p < 0.001) suggests a partial loss of the acquired knowledge over time.
Conclusion:
The educational intervention effectively enhanced Greek midwives’ knowledge in diagnosing the symptoms and risks of CAN. To sustain these improvements and strengthen child safeguarding practices, it is imperative that comprehensive training on child abuse and neglect be integrated into both undergraduate and postgraduate midwifery education. Health policymakers should prioritize such educational initiatives to empower midwives in their critical role as child protectors.
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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