OBJECTIVES: to determine factors interfering with the reporting of child abuse by pediatricians to children protection services. METHODS: cross sectional observation study. A random sample of pediatricians from Porto Alegre was selected among the 990 registered in the local pediatrician's society. Social and demographic variables, professional background, knowledge concerning child abuse were obtained through the application of anonymous questionnaires. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were utilized to determine factors associated to the failure in reporting. RESULTS: ninety seven pediatricians were selected and 92 agreed to participate of the study. Of these, 80 (86.9%) identified some case of child abuse, and 63 (78.7%) reported at least one case. The majority of pediatricians admitted fear of legal involvement, demonstrated adequate knowledge of the issue and low confidence in child protection entities. Insufficient knowledge (OR = 3.94), working exclusively in the private sector (OR = 6.33) were the factors associated to the failure in reporting. Following adjustments, insufficient knowledge was significantly associated to result OR = 5.06 (95%CI = 1.45 - 17.59). CONCLUSIONS: a high rate of identification and reporting of child abuse through pediatricians was determined. Continuous education programs, improvement of protection services, professional support to the private sector could increase child abuse identification and reporting.
Child abuse; Domestic violence; Mandatory reporting
