Citation

Oral R, Can D, Kaplan S, Polat S, Ates N, Cetin G, Miral S, Hanci H, Ersahin Y, Tepeli N, Bulguc AG, Tiras B. Child Abuse Negl. 2001; 25(2): 279-290.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Behcet Uz Teaching Hospital for Children, Izmir, Turkey.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11330925

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To share the experiences of the first clinical multidisciplinary child abuse and neglect (CAN) team in Turkey with international child abuse community. METHODS: The authors established the first Turkish CAN follow-up team at Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital. Following a training program in five teaching hospitals in Izmir, the authors kept a record of every case diagnosed with CAN from these hospitals between 1996 and 1998. The demographic, epidemiologic, and medical features of this case series are summarized. RESULTS: Fifty cases were diagnosed and followed-up. Seventy-six percent of patients were reported from Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital. Age and sex distribution was 9.2 +/- 6.7 years and 46% male, 54% female, respectively. The offenders were only father in 38%, only mother in 28%, and multiple in 34%. More than three CAN risk factors were present in 94%. Of the children reported 44% survived, 14% died, and 42% were lost to follow-up. Sixteen percent were free of reabuse, and 42% survived with handicaps. CONCLUSIONS: Child abuse and neglect is a reality in Turkey. The team's work increased pediatricians' awareness of CAN. Reporting these cases to Social Affairs Bureau was established for the first time in Turkey. Physicians in Turkey need training to diagnose and properly report CAN. The implemen tation of a national CAN prevention program is an urgent need for Turkey.

Language: en