Perceptions and Experiences of Medical Officers Regarding Child Protection: A Multi-centre Cross-Sectional Study in Sri Lanka

Child protection is critical in healthcare, with medical officers playing a vital role in identifying abuse. Despite rising cases in Sri Lanka, traditional norms and inadequate training affect responses.  This study aims to assess medical officers’ perceptions and experiences, potentially informing evidence-based policies and targeted training programs.
A multicentred cross-sectional study surveyed 253 medical officers involved in paediatric care across the country. Data collected via Google Forms, analysed using SPSS v20 with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine associations. 
A total of 253 doctors participated, with the majority (49%, n = 129) being medical officers. More than 76.7% had worked in pediatrics for over a year, and 51.5% were based in general pediatric units. Nearly 89.7% of doctors encountered at least one case of child abuse during their practice, while 69.6% had managed a case within the past year. Although over 70% expressed confidence in recording and reporting child maltreatment, only 31.1% had received formal training on the subject. Just over half of the participants reported adhering to the National Guideline for the Management of Child Abuse and Neglect. The main challenges in managing child maltreatment cases included lack of experience (59.4%), inadequate knowledge (41.9%), and uncertainty in diagnosis (41.9%). Encouragingly, over 95% of doctors expressed a desire for training on managing and reporting child maltreatment.
This study highlighted the need for regular training for doctors working with children to enhance their  knowledge and practices. Additionally, it is essential to promote awareness and adherence to the existing National Guideline on to ensure standardized and effective care.