A Study to Assess the Knowledge regarding Good Touch and Bad Touch among School Children in Selected School of Western Maharashtra

Maj Mahima Anna, Maj Praveena Prabhakar, Maj Shilpa Baby, Maj Rebecca Thomas, Lt Col Tanu Jadli

Abstract: Background Children in India are not aware about the topic and thus become more susceptible to child sexual abuse (CSA), a rising evil in society. Objective: To assess the knowledge regarding good touch and bad touch among school children and to associate the knowledge of good touch and bad touch with selected sociodemographic variables. Methodology: In this cross sectional study 120 children of the age group of 6 - 8 yrs were selected to assess the knowledge regarding good touch and bad touch. Simple random sampling was used. Data collection was done using a structured validated questionnaire comprising of two sections: Section I for assessing socio demographic variables and Section II for assessing knowledge regarding good touch and bad touch. Results: The data collected were analyzed using frequency, percentage and ANOVA. The study finds that 50% of the children had good knowledge about good touch and bad touch and 48% of students had average knowledge while only 2% of the students had poor knowledge. Among the selected sociodemographic variables a significant association to knowledge was found only with standards in which they are studying Discussion: The present study suggests that 50% children had good knowledge about good touch and bad touch which can be attributed to the sensitization given by the school and family. Conclusion: Only half of the students had good knowledge hence there should be more emphasis on imparting the education about good touch and bad touch to the primary school children who are vulnerable for sexual abuses.

Keywords: Child sexual abuse, Good touch Bad touch, School children awareness, Primary Education, Sociodemographic factors