Child Abuse in Zanzibar West district, Tanzania: Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP)

The main goal of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice on child abuse in Zanzibar. The study involved 100 respondents at Fumba village who were parents, caregivers and other people within the community. The respondents had the age from 20 years old and above and who expected to have a parenting role at the time of study. Face to face interview was administered to these respondents through survey held house to house. 100 % of the respondents had knowledge on child abuse, 51% of the respondents said that child abuse occurs at home, 63% of the respondents said beating a child who misbehaves is a common child abuse in the West District. 65% of the school children who fill questionnaires responded that they were beaten using stick by their parents and care givers as a punishment when they misbehaved, 16% of the school children witnessed their fellow children married at the age of 15. The study concluded that parents, care givers and other people in the West District have adequate knowledge on child abuse. Parents, caregivers and other people in the West District practice all forms of child abuse to their children. People’s attitudes and practices on child abuse are greatly influenced by Zanzibar culture. The study recommended the following as a measure to control child abuse in the West District; Zanzibar government to take a leading role in protecting abused children in Zanzibar including the West District, education on child abuse to be given to children and community, the mass media be enabled and equipped to spearhead the spread of education on child abuse and its impact on children, the household and community in general. Further researches are need on various aspects of child abuse in Tanzania (including Zanzibar).

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

The Open University Of Tanzania

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Mohamed, Bakari Ali

• 360 Social services; association

Language dc:language

en