Developing an assessment tool for nurses to identify the potential risk of child abuse and neglect

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This study aimed to develop a tool for nurses to assess the potential risk of child abuse. We conducted a survey by interviewing 12 people comprised of nurses and public health nurses working on children's and emergency wards, and in pediatric outpatient departments, emergency outpatient departments, and health centers, and extracted the factors related to children's and their families' speech and behavior recognized as signs of child abuse. Following that, we conducted a questionnaire survey involving nurses, on the degree of importance. Among the hospitals with or more 500 beds and pediatric hospitals in Japan, we sent the questionnaire to 729 nurses working at 72 hospitals that consented to cooperating with the survey, and collected thequestionnaire by mail. We received answers from 326 respondents (response rate of44.7%). In accordance with the factors to which the respondents attached importanceconcerning observed behaviors of children and the families, we created a draftproposal for a tool to assess families with the potential risk of abusing their children.