Factors Predicting Intention to Report Child Abuse Among Iranian Healthcare Providers Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
5 affiliations
- 1Community Health Nursing(MsN), Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
- 2Professor, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- 3Instructor, Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
- 4Associate Professor, Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
- 5Associate Professor, Department of English Language, Faculty of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction: Child abuse is an important public health issue with serious consequences. Because of their direct contact with children and families, healthcare providers play a key role in identifying and reporting cases. Identifying predictors of child abuse reporting intention can enhance child abuse prevention. Objective: This study aimed to determine intention to report child abuse based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) among Iranian healthcare providers and identify its predictive factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 on 160 healthcare providers from comprehensive health centers in Rasht, north of Iran. Data were collected using the Child Abuse Reporting Intention Scale (CARIS), comprising sociodemographic/occupational information, knowledge, and TPB constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s and Spearman correlation tests, and multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of participants was 42.6±8.7 years, and their mean work experience was 17.7± 8.5 years. The majority of them were female, married, had children, had a bachelor’s degree, were midwives, and resided in urban areas. Their mean knowledge score was low (47.2±19.2), while their perceived behavioral control was at a moderate level, and other constructs were at a high level. There was no significant difference in reporting intention score based on sociodemographic/ occupational factors. A significant positive correlation was found between reporting intention and both attitude (r=0.257, P=0.001) and perceived behavioral control (r=0.204, P=0.010). In the multivariate regression model, being a community health worker was associated with a higher reporting intention (b=8.86, 95% CI; 0.24, 17.47, P=0.044). Attitude was other predictor of reporting intention (b=0.31, 95% CI; 0.13, 0.49, P=0.001). The R² value was 0.177. Conclusion: Attitude and being a community health worker are predictors of Iranian healthcare providers’ intention to report child abuse. Strengthening attitude, continuous education, and environmental support can enhance the reporting intention of healthcare providers.
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BibTeX
@article{ahmadi2026factors,
title = {{Factors Predicting Intention to Report Child Abuse Among Iranian Healthcare Providers Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior}},
author = {Marziyeh Ahmadi and Abdolhossein Emami Sigaroudi and Leila Mirhadian and Saman Maroufizadeh and Iman Alizadeh},
journal = {Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Factors Predicting Intention to Report Child Abuse Among Iranian Healthcare Providers Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
AU - Marziyeh Ahmadi
AU - Abdolhossein Emami Sigaroudi
AU - Leila Mirhadian
AU - Saman Maroufizadeh
AU - Iman Alizadeh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery
AB - Introduction: Child abuse is an important public health issue with serious consequences. Because of their direct contact with children and families, healthcare providers play a key role in identifying and reporting cases. Identifying predictors of child abuse reporting intention can enhance child abuse prevention. Objective: This study aimed to determine intention to report child abuse based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) among Iranian healthcare providers and identify its predictive factors. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 on 160 healthcare providers from comprehensive health centers in Rasht, north of Iran. Data were collected using the Child Abuse Reporting Intention Scale (CARIS), comprising sociodemographic/occupational information, knowledge, and TPB constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s and Spearman correlation tests, and multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of participants was 42.6±8.7 years, and their mean work experience was 17.7± 8.5 years. The majority of them were female, married, had children, had a bachelor’s degree, were midwives, and resided in urban areas. Their mean knowledge score was low (47.2±19.2), while their perceived behavioral control was at a moderate level, and other constructs were at a high level. There was no significant difference in reporting intention score based on sociodemographic/ occupational factors. A significant positive correlation was found between reporting intention and both attitude (r=0.257, P=0.001) and perceived behavioral control (r=0.204, P=0.010). In the multivariate regression model, being a community health worker was associated with a higher reporting intention (b=8.86, 95% CI; 0.24, 17.47, P=0.044). Attitude was other predictor of reporting intention (b=0.31, 95% CI; 0.13, 0.49, P=0.001). The R² value was 0.177. Conclusion: Attitude and being a community health worker are predictors of Iranian healthcare providers’ intention to report child abuse. Strengthening attitude, continuous education, and environmental support can enhance the reporting intention of healthcare providers.
SN - 2588-3712
SN - 2588-3720
ER -