Factors associated with perceptions of child sexual abuse and lack of parental knowledge: a community-based cross-sectional study from the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse (CSA) has serious consequences that can affect the physical, social and mental health of a child. In the last two decades, concern about CSA has increased around the world including Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate factors associated with parental perceptions and knowledge of CSA. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS: Primary health care clinic. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Simple random sampling was used to select participants. The main tool for data collection was a self-administered questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Factors associated with knowledge and perceptions of CSA. SAMPLE SIZE: 400. RESULTS: Most respondents (69%) had good knowledge of the signs of sexual abuse in children. For perception scores, statistically significant variables were age (P=.004), educational level (P=.005), income (P<.001), number of wives (P=.004), number of male children (P=.021), and number of female children (P=.027). For knowledge scores, statistically significant variables were income (P=.008), number of wives (P<.005), number of male children (P=.003) and number of female children (P<.003). Logistic regression showed that the older age group was significantly associated with a good perception score (P<.046). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for parental lack of knowledge and poor perception associated with CSA are poverty and low education. Protective factors included the older parent age, size of the family and families with more than one wife. Education should be designed for parents and the community to increase the knowledge and perception of CSA. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study and short study period.