REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A literature review involves the systematic identification, location, scrutiny and summary of
written material that contains information on a research problem16
Polit and Hungler

A descriptive study was conducted by Jubin Varghese, in an urban area at Tumkur. To

assess the knowledge of mothers regarding child abuse in children aged 3 12 years. A sample
of 100 mothers were selected, they were interviewed using structured interview schedule. The
study revealed that 44 % mothers had inadequate knowledge and remaining 16% of mothers
had adequate knowledge on child abuse since, majority of urban mothers had moderate
knowledge regarding child abuse , education was very essential . Therefore an information
booklet was distributed to the mothers which aimed at providing knowledge on child abuse and
prevention of child abuse17.

National survey on child abuse (2012) conducted by Mahendra et at covering 13 states .

The objective of the study was to Find out the child abuse cases in India. The study found out
that more than 53% children report facing one or more forms of sexual abuse , almost 22% faced
several sexual abuse , 6% sexually assaulted , 50 % sexual offenders were known to the victims
or were in position of trust ( Family , members, relatives , neighbors). Children between 5-12
years faced higher level of abuse , largely unreported18 .

A longitudinal analysis of risk factors for child maltreatment was conducted and findings
of a 17 years prospective study of officially recorded and self reported child abuse and neglect.
The result revealed that the prevalence of child abuse Inneare from 3% when no risk factors were
present to 24% when < 4 risk factors were present. The study conducted that assessment of
number of risk factor may permit health professionals to identify parents and children who are at
risk for child maltreatment facilitating appropriate implementation prevention and treatment
intervention19.
A descriptive study was conducted by Sivanandan NT, in selected area around the Arvi
urban area at Latur. The level of knowledge regarding child abuse was assessed among 20
mothers. Mothers awareness about child abuse was assessed by closed ended questionnaire. It
was found that 15% of sample having inadequate knowledge, 60% of samples are having
moderate adequate knowledge and 25% having adequate knowledge. It concluded that, the
mothers should be educated about the awareness of child abuse and the effect. The nurse can
create an opportunity for the mother to prevent the child abuse. The nursing administrators
should conduct educational programmes on prevention of child abuse20.
A study was conducted on prevalence and determinants of child maltreatment among high
school students , in Southern China . The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and
determinants of child maltreatment . A school based survey was conducted among 24 high
schools by stratified random sampling technique . The result of the study revealed that
prevalence of parental psychological aggression, corporal punishment, severe and very severe
physical maltreatment in past 6 months were 78.3%, 23.2%, 15.1 % and 2.8 % respectively. The
prevalence of sexual abuse is 0.6%. The study concluded that identification of significant

determinants in a study can provide valuable information for teachers and health professionals so
as to pay special attention on those at risk 21.
A comparative study was conducted by Jagraj Singh and Bajinder Kaur ,in selected
rural and urban areas of Jalandhar in Punjab . The study was to assess the knowledge regarding
child abuse among parents. Sample size of the study comprised of 100 parents. fifty parents at
selected rural area. Fifty parents from selected urban area. The knowledge was assessed by using
structured questionnaire. The study revealed that 58% parents in rural area had average
knowledge, 50% in urban area had good knowledge about child abuse. It was inferred that
parents residing in urban area had more knowledge regarding child abuse than parents in rural
area22.
A cross sectional study was conducted by School of Psychiatry, University of New
South Wales, in Australia to determine whether childhood physical and sexual abuse are
associated with poor mental and physical outcomes in older age. The participants were 21,000
older adults (aged > 60 years) currently under the care of general practitioners participating in
the depression and early prevention of suicide in general practice study. The results revealed that
1,458 (6.7%) participants reported childhood physical abuse. 1,429 (6.5%) participants reported
childhood sexual abuse. Participants who had experienced either childhood sexual or physical
abuse had a greater risk of poor physical health and mental health. Older adults who reported
both childhood sexual and physical abuse also had a higher risk of poor physical health and
mental health. The researcher concluded that the effects of childhood abuse appear to last a life
time 23.

Literature related to knowledge of mother

An experimental study was conducted on effectiveness of structured teaching programme
regarding child abuse in urban area, ( Neikarapatti) .In Dingul district in Tamilnadu.The method
of data collection was self instructed questionnaire. The data analysis showed that the knowledge
regarding child abuse among mothers with under five children in pre test knowledge score was,
82% of inadequate knowledge and 18% of adequate knowledge. The researcher suggested that
the knowledge and there is need for structured teaching program for the mothers with under five
children24.
A descriptive study on child abuse and neglect was conducted in mothers behavior and
perception in which mothers behavior related to child maltreatment , their perception and its
correlation to parents characteristics and family background were investigated. The study
samples were 210 women with atlest one child under 18 years of age. The method of data
collection was an interview questionnaire. The study constituted emotional abuse 69%, physical
abuse 57.1 % and neglecting the child safety 43.8%, as well as medical care 46%.The researcher
suggested that mother tending to perceive neglectful behavior rather than abuse behavior as child
maltreatment. Child abuse was significantly associated with parents level of education, fathers
occupation, mothers working status, maternal perception of maltreatment25.