Perception on risk factors of child maltreatment in China: a qualitative study among health professionals

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to explore health professionals’ perception of risk factors related to child maltreatment in China. Design Qualitative research. Setting The study was conducted in November and December 2014 in Hunan, Zhejiang, Shaanxi and Guangdong provinces in China. Participants Five urban communities and five rural communities were randomly selected in each province, and interviews were conducted in maternal and child health hospitals, children’s hospitals, community health service centres and township hospitals in the selected areas. Doctors, nurses and administrators involved in child healthcare services were selected for in-depth-interview. Results A total of 102 health professionals were approached but 95 completed the interview. From their perspective, risk factors causing child maltreatment were categorised into four domains: (1) cultural factors, including parents’ absolute authority over their children and son preference; (2) social factors, including a fast-paced and stressful lifestyle, children left behind by migrant worker parents and lack of quality child care and education; (3) family factors, including economic status, family structure, parents’ inability to provide parental care, experience of maltreatment and parents’ illnesses; (4) children’s factors, including gender, temper, disabilities and poor awareness of self-protection. Conclusions The results indicate that health professionals in China are aware of certain risk factors for child maltreatment; however, some views are outdated and wrong. Based on the perception of health professionals, targeted training courses are needed to enable them to correctly identify and deal with suspected cases of child maltreatment.