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.
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O.B., A.W., and V.C. conceptualized and designed the study, carried out the initial analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. E.B., P.L.P., and J.M.F. conceptualized and designed the study, designed the data collection instruments, coordinated and supervised data collection, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
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Competing interests
P.L.P. has received research funding from the Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, BMBF (Federal Ministry of Education and Research), VW-Foundation, Baden-Württemberg Stiftung, Lundbeck, and Servier. P.L.P. holds no stocks of pharmaceutical companies. Within the past five years, J.M.F. received research funding from the European Union (EU), German Research Foundation (DFG), the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the German Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), several state ministries of social affairs, State Foundation Baden-Württemberg, Volkswagen Foundation, European Academy, Pontifical Gregorian University, RAZ, CJD, Caritas, and Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart. He has received travel grants, honoraria and sponsoring for conferences and medical educational purposes from the German Research Foundation (DFG), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), the National Institute of (Mental) Health (NIMH/NIH), the European Union (EU), Pro Helvetica, Janssen-Cilag (J&J), Shire, several universities, professional associations, and German federal and state ministries. He has conducted clinical trials for Janssen-Cilag, Lundbeck, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and Servier. He is in steering committees and DSMB for Lundbeck, Servier. Every grant and honorarium has to be declared to the law office of the University hospital Ulm. Potential conflicts of interests have to be declared to German Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DGKJP) and American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) annually, because of commission membership. He has no stocks, no interests in pharmaceutical companies, and is a majority owner of the 3Li institute. The other authors declare no competing interests.
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Berthold, O., Clemens, V., Witt, A. et al. Awareness of abusive head trauma in a German population-based sample: implications for prevention. Pediatr Res 86, 537–541 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0467-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0467-8
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