Oliver Berthold1,2, Vera Clemens3, Andreas Witt3, Elmar Brähler4,5, Paul L Plener3,6, Jörg M Fegert3. 1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Steinhövelstr. 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany. oliver.berthold@uni-ulm.de. 2. Child Abuse Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, DRK Kliniken Berlin | Westend, Spandauer Damm 130, 14050, Berlin, Germany. oliver.berthold@uni-ulm.de. 3. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Steinhövelstr. 5, 89075, Ulm, Germany. 4. Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. 5. University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany. 6. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite efforts to reduce the incidence of abusive head trauma (AHT), incidence rates remain high. One cause is that prevention programs mostly aim to educate mothers of newborns on AHT and infant crying. However, mothers commonly have already a high knowledge and constitute only a minority among identified AHT perpetrators. The hypothesis was that there are great differences in AHT awareness in different subgroups. To assess awareness of AHT, a population-based study was performed. METHODS: A population-based representative sample of the German population aged >14 years (N = 2510) was assessed in a cross-sectional observational survey. The sample was selected in a random route approach between November 2017 and February 2018. RESULTS: Overall knowledge of AHT was higher in women (67.9%) than in men (48.8%, p < 0.001). Female gender, having children, higher age, and level of education were predictors for the awareness of AHT. A majority of participants reported to have heard about AHT from the media. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of AHT differs significantly within the population. In groups at higher risk to perpetrate AHT, including men, young caregivers, and those with low educational level, awareness of AHT was low. These subgroups should be targeted by tailored education programs for prevention.
BACKGROUND: Despite efforts to reduce the incidence of abusive head trauma (AHT), incidence rates remain high. One cause is that prevention programs mostly aim to educate mothers of newborns on AHT and infant crying. However, mothers commonly have already a high knowledge and constitute only a minority among identified AHT perpetrators. The hypothesis was that there are great differences in AHT awareness in different subgroups. To assess awareness of AHT, a population-based study was performed. METHODS: A population-based representative sample of the German population aged >14 years (N = 2510) was assessed in a cross-sectional observational survey. The sample was selected in a random route approach between November 2017 and February 2018. RESULTS: Overall knowledge of AHT was higher in women (67.9%) than in men (48.8%, p < 0.001). Female gender, having children, higher age, and level of education were predictors for the awareness of AHT. A majority of participants reported to have heard about AHT from the media. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of AHT differs significantly within the population. In groups at higher risk to perpetrate AHT, including men, young caregivers, and those with low educational level, awareness of AHT was low. These subgroups should be targeted by tailored education programs for prevention.