Dentists' intention to report suspected violence: a cross-sectional study in eight Arab countries

Maha El Tantawi 1, Balgis Gaffar 1, Arheiam Arheiam 2, Wafaa AbdelAziz 3, Ola B Al-Batayneh 4, Mansur F Alhoti 5, Sadeq Al-Maweri 6, Mai A Dama 7, Mounir Zaghez 8, Khalid Saddiq Hassan 9, Mona Al-Sane 10, Maha AbdelSalam 11, Wael Sabbah 12, Arwa I Owais 13, Fatma Abdelgawad 14, Thiyezen Abdullah Aldhelai 15, Omar Abd El Sadek El Meligy 3 16, Jehan AlHumaid 1, Fahad Al-Harbi 17

Affiliations

doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019786

Abstract

Objectives: This study assessed dentists' intention in eight Arab countries to report suspected exposure to violence among patients and factors associated with this intention based on the theory of planned behaviour.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 including a convenience sample of dentists practising in public, private and academic sectors in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Respondents answered a self-administered questionnaire collecting information about personal and professional background and perceived ability to identify victims of violence. The questionnaire assessed (on a scale from 1 to 10 using six negative statements) dentists' perception of healthcare system mandated reporting of suspected violence. Six statements were used to assess professional attitude towards reporting suspected violence. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between intention to report suspected violence and perceived ability, perception and attitude adjusting for confounders.

Results: The response rate was 65.2% (n=2936/4506) from general practitioners (70.9%) of mean age=31 years with 56.7% women. Of those, 68.8% intended to report and 52.2% considered themselves able to identify violence victims. The mean (SD) negative perception score=5.3/10 (2.1) and the mean (SD) professional attitude score=7.5/10 (1.9). In multivariate regression, intention to report was associated with professional attitude (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.14), ability to identify violence victims (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.45 to 2.12) and negative perception that reporting is not mandated (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.94). Significant differences existed among countries in intention to report.

Conclusion: Most dentists intended to report suspected violence and their intention could be explained by the theory of planned behaviour which offers a framework for professional development to support violence victims. Sharing of training resources, policies and guidelines is needed to ensure that practices similar to international guidelines are consistently adopted by dentists across Arab countries.

Keywords: ethics (see medical ethics); human resource management; international health services; medical ethics; primary care; public health.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1 Negative perception of mandated reporting, mean (SD)=5.3 (2.1), range=1–10.

Figure 1 Negative perception of mandated reporting, mean (SD)=5.3 (2.1), range=1–10.

Figure 1 Negative perception of mandated reporting, mean (SD)=5.3 (2.1), range=1–10.

Figure 1 Negative perception of mandated reporting, mean (SD)=5.3 (2.1), range=1–10.

Similar articles

Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model association with Egyptian dentists' reporting of suspected abuse.

El Tantawi M, Nabil N, Mahmoud SH, Elhendawy F.BMC Oral Health. 2022 Mar 4;22(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02094-5.PMID: 35246088 Free PMC article.

Dentists' Willingness to Report Suspected Violence Cases in Saudi Arabia.

Abolfotouh MA, Alfehaid HA, Almadi DS, Aldali HW, Alshareef AA, Adlan AA.J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2020 Jan 21;10(2):220-225. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_416_19. eCollection 2020 Mar-Apr.PMID: 32670912 Free PMC article.

Arab dentists' refusal to treat HIV positive patients: a survey of recently graduated dentists from three Arab dental schools.

Arheiam A, El Tantawi M, Al-Ansari A, Ingafou M, El Howati A, Gaballah K, AbdelAziz W.Acta Odontol Scand. 2017 Jul;75(5):355-360. doi: 10.1080/00016357.2017.1316867. Epub 2017 Apr 21.PMID: 28431481

Inclusion of children with developmental disabilities in Arab countries: A review of the research literature from 1990 to 2014.

Alkhateeb JM, Hadidi MS, Alkhateeb AJ.Res Dev Disabil. 2016 Feb-Mar;49-50:60-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2015.11.005. Epub 2015 Dec 8.PMID: 26672678 Review.

Prevalence of and factors associated with burnout among health care professionals in Arab countries: a systematic review.

Elbarazi I, Loney T, Yousef S, Elias A.BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 Jul 17;17(1):491. doi: 10.1186/s12913-017-2319-8.PMID: 28716142 Free PMC article. Review.

Cited by

Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model association with Egyptian dentists' reporting of suspected abuse.

El Tantawi M, Nabil N, Mahmoud SH, Elhendawy F.BMC Oral Health. 2022 Mar 4;22(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s12903-022-02094-5.PMID: 35246088 Free PMC article.

Intention to provide tobacco cessation counseling among Indonesian dental students and association with the theory of planned behavior.

Maharani DA, Nadira KV, Setiawati F, El Tantawi M.BMC Oral Health. 2021 Jan 7;21(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s12903-020-01348-4.PMID: 33413333 Free PMC article.

Behavior change due to COVID-19 among dental academics-The theory of planned behavior: Stresses, worries, training, and pandemic severity.

Ammar N, Aly NM, Folayan MO, Khader Y, Virtanen JI, Al-Batayneh OB, Mohebbi SZ, Attia S, Howaldt HP, Boettger S, Maharani DA, Rahardjo A, Khan I, Madi M, Rashwan M, Pavlic V, Cicmil S, Choi YH, Joury E, Castillo JL, Noritake K, Shamala A, Galluccio G, Polimeni A, Phantumvanit P, Mancino D, Kim JB, Abdelsalam MM, Arheiam A, Dama MA, Nyan M, Hussein I, Alkeshan MM, Vukovic AP, Iandolo A, Kemoli AM, El Tantawi M.PLoS One. 2020 Sep 29;15(9):e0239961. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239961. eCollection 2020.PMID: 32991611 Free PMC article.

Dental Facilities During the New Corona Outbreak: A SWOT Analysis.

Gaffar B, Alhumaid J, Alhareky M, Alonaizan F, Almas K.Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2020 Aug 25;13:1343-1352. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S265998. eCollection 2020.PMID: 32904653 Free PMC article. Review.

Dentists' Willingness to Report Suspected Violence Cases in Saudi Arabia.

Abolfotouh MA, Alfehaid HA, Almadi DS, Aldali HW, Alshareef AA, Adlan AA.J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2020 Jan 21;10(2):220-225. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_416_19. eCollection 2020 Mar-Apr.PMID: 32670912 Free PMC article.

KMEL References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

References

  1.  
    1. World Health Organization. Global status report on violence prevention. 2014. http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/status_report/201... (Accessed June 10, 2017).
  2.  
    1. Obeidat BY, Shannak RO, Masa’deh RT, et al. . Toward better understanding for Arabian culture: Implications based on Hofstede’s cultural model. Eur J Soc Sci 2012;28:512–22.
  3.  
    1. Douki S, Nacef F, Belhadj A, et al. . Violence against women in Arab and Islamic countries. Arch Womens Ment Health 2003;6:165–71. 10.1007/s00737-003-0170-x - DOI - PubMed
  4.  
    1. Coulthard P, Warburton AL. The role of the dental team in responding to domestic violence. Br Dent J 2007;203:645–8. 10.1038/bdj.2007.1066 - DOI - PubMed
  5.  
    1. Drigeard C, Nicolas E, Hansjacob A, et al. . Educational needs in the field of detection of domestic violence and neglect: the opinion of a population of French dentists. Eur J Dent Educ 2012;16:156–65. 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2012.00739.x - DOI - PubMed
  6.  
    1. Owais AI, Qudeimat MA, Qodceih S. Dentists' involvement in identification and reporting of child physical abuse: Jordan as a case study. Int J Paediatr Dent 2009;19:291–6. 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2009.00971.x - DOI - PubMed
  7.  
    1. Sonbol HN, Abu-Ghazaleh S, Rajab LD, et al. . Knowledge, educational experiences and attitudes towards child abuse amongst Jordanian dentists. Eur J Dent Educ 2012;16:e158–65. 10.1111/j.1600-0579.2011.00691.x - DOI - PubMed
  8.  
    1. Al-Dabaan R, Newton JT, Asimakopoulou K. Knowledge, attitudes, and experience of dentists living in Saudi Arabia toward child abuse and neglect. Saudi Dent J 2014;26:79–87. 10.1016/j.sdentj.2014.03.008 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
  9.  
    1. Mogaddam M, Kamal I, Merdad L, et al. . Knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of dentists regarding child physical abuse in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Child Abuse Negl 2016;54:43–56. 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.02.004 - DOI - PubMed
  10.  
    1. Al-Amad SH, Awad MA, Al-Farsi LH, et al. . Reporting child abuse cases by dentists working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). J Forensic Leg Med 2016;40:12–15. 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.01.033 - DOI - PubMed
  11.  
    1. Rodrigues J, Lima APB, Nagata JY, et al. . Domestic violence against children detected and managed in the routine of dentistry - A systematic review. J Forensic Leg Med 2016;43:34–41. 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.07.006 - DOI - PubMed
  12.  
    1. Silva LO, Souza-Silva BN, de Alcântara Rodrigues JL, et al. . Identification and management of elder physical abuse in the routine of dentistry - a systematic review. Gerodontology 2017;34:3–12. 10.1111/ger.12252 - DOI - PubMed
  13.  
    1. Ajzen I. From intentions to actions: A theory of planned behavior Action control. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 1985:11–39.
  14.  
    1. World Health Organization. Global Health Observatory data repository. Dentistry personnel - Data by country. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2017.
  15.  
    1. Deshpande A, Macwan C, Poonacha KS, et al. . Knowledge and attitude in regards to physical child abuse amongst medical and dental residents of central Gujarat: a cross-sectional survey. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2015;33:177–82. 10.4103/0970-4388.160344 - DOI - PubMed
  16.  
    1. Harris CM, Welbury R, Cairns AM. The Scottish dental practitioner’s role in managing child abuse and neglect. Br Dent J 2013;214:E24 10.1038/sj.bdj.2013.435 - DOI - PubMed
  17.  
    1. Garbin CA, Rovida TA, Costa AA, et al. . [Perceptions and attitudes of public health service dentists in the face of family violence in 24 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013-2014]. Epidemiol Serv Saude 2016;25:179–86. 10.5123/S1679-49742016000100019 - DOI - PubMed
  18.  
    1. Manea S, Favero GA, Stellini E, et al. . Dentists' perceptions, attitudes, knowledge, and experience about child abuse and neglect in northeast Italy. J Clin Pediatr Dent 2007;32:19–26. 10.17796/jcpd.32.1.f920721252jx3614 - DOI - PubMed
  19.  
    1. El Sarraf MC, Marego G, Correr GM, et al. . Physical child abuse: perception, diagnosis, and management by Southern Brazilian pediatric dentists. Pediatr Dent 2012;34:e72–6. - PubMed
  20.  
    1. Azevedo MS, Goettems ML, Brito A, et al. . Child maltreatment: a survey of dentists in southern Brazil. Braz Oral Res 2012;26:5–11. 10.1590/S1806-83242012000100002 - DOI - PubMed
  21.  
    1. Ben Natan M, Khater M, Ighbariyea R, et al. . Readiness of nursing students to screen women for domestic violence. Nurse Educ Today 2016;44:98–102. 10.1016/j.nedt.2016.05.006 - DOI - PubMed
  22.  
    1. Adair SM, Yasrebi S, Wray IA, et al. . Demographic, educational, and experiential factors associated with dentists' decisions to report hypothetical cases of child maltreatment. Pediatr Dent 1997;19:466–9. - PubMed
  23.  
    1. Katner DR, Brown CE. Mandatory reporting of oral injuries indicating possible child abuse. J Am Dent Assoc 2012;143:1087–92. 10.14219/jada.archive.2012.0038 - DOI - PubMed
  24.  
    1. Skelton J, Herren C, Cunningham LL, et al. . Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and training needs of Kentucky dentists regarding violence against women. Gen Dent 2007;55:581–8. - PubMed
  25.  
    1. Thomas JE, Straffon L, Inglehart MR. Knowledge and professional experiences concerning child abuse: an analysis of provider and student responses. Pediatr Dent 2006;28:438–44. - PubMed
  26.  
    1. Lazenbatt A, Freeman R. Recognizing and reporting child physical abuse: a survey of primary healthcare professionals. J Adv Nurs 2006;56:227–36. 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.04030.x - DOI - PubMed
  27.  
    1. AlAlyani WS, Alshouibi EN. Dentists awareness and action towards domestic violence patients. A cross-sectional study among dentists in Western Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2017;38:82–8. 10.15537/smj.2017.1.16085 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
  28.  
    1. Malpani S, Arora J, Diwaker G, et al. . Child Abuse and Neglect: Do We know enough? A Cross-sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior of Dentists regarding Child Abuse and Neglect in Pune, India. J Contemp Dent Pract 2017;18:162–9. 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2009 - DOI - PubMed
  29.  
    1. Laud A, Gizani S, Maragkou S, et al. . Child protection training, experience, and personal views of dentists in the prefecture of Attica, Greece. Int J Paediatr Dent 2013;23:64–71. 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2012.01225.x - DOI - PubMed
  30.  
    1. Mythri H, Kashinath KR, Raju AS, et al. . Enhancing the dental professional’s responsiveness towards domestic violence; A cross-sectional study. J Clin Diagnostic Res 2015;9:ZC51–ZC53. - PMC - PubMed
  31.  
    1. Feng JY, Levine M. Factors associated with nurses' intention to report child abuse: a national survey of Taiwanese nurses. Child Abuse Negl 2005;29:783–95. 10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.11.006 - DOI - PubMed
  32.  
    1. Usta J, Feder G, Antoun J. Attitudes towards domestic violence in Lebanon: a qualitative study of primary care practitioners. Br J Gen Pract 2014;64:e313–e320. 10.3399/bjgp14X680077 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
  33.  
    1. Love C, Gerbert B, Caspers N, et al. . Dentists' attitudes and behaviors regarding domestic violence. The need for an effective response. J Am Dent Assoc 2001;132:85–93. - PubMed
  34.  
    1. Mascarenhas AK, Deshmukh A, Scott T. New England, USA dental professionals' attitudes and behaviours regarding domestic violence. Br Dent J 2009;206:E5 10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.7 - DOI - PubMed
  35.  
    1. Rolim AC, Moreira GA, Gondim SM, et al. . Factors associated with reporting of abuse against children and adolescents by nurses within Primary Health Care. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2014;22:1048–55. 10.1590/0104-1169.0050.2515 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
  36.  
    1. Ben Natan M, Ben Ari G, Bader T, et al. . Universal screening for domestic violence in a department of obstetrics and gynaecology: a patient and carer perspective. Int Nurs Rev 2012;59:108–14. 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2011.00931.x - DOI
  37.  
    1. Ben Natan M, Faour C, Naamhah S, et al. . Factors affecting medical and nursing staff reporting of child abuse. Int Nurs Rev 2012;59:331–7. 10.1111/j.1466-7657.2012.00988.x - DOI - PubMed
  38.  
    1. Feng JY, Wu YW. Nurses' intention to report child abuse in Taiwan: a test of the theory of planned behavior. Res Nurs Health 2005;28:337–47. 10.1002/nur.20087 - DOI - PubMed
  39.  
    1. The World Bank. Data for Arab World Population. 2017. http://data.worldbank.org/?locations=1A-DZ (accessed 10 June 2017).

Page Navigation