title: Multidimensional model to assess the readiness of Saudi Arabia to implement evidence based child maltreatment prevention programs at a large scale.
abstract: There has been increased awareness of child maltreatment in Saudi Arabia recently. This study assessed the readiness for implementing large-scale evidence-based child maltreatment prevention programs in Saudi Arabia. Key informants, who were key decision makers and senior managers in the field of child maltreatment, were invited to participate in the study. A multidimensional tool, developed by WHO and collaborators from several middle and low income countries, was used to assess 10 dimensions of readiness. A group of experts also gave an objective assessment of the 10 dimensions and key informants' and experts' scores were compared. On a scale of 100, the key informants gave a readiness score of 43% for Saudi Arabia to implement large-scale, evidence-based CM prevention programs, and experts gave an overall readiness score of 40%. Both the key informants and experts agreed that 4 of the dimensions (attitudes toward child maltreatment prevention, institutional links and resources, material resources, and human and technical resources) had low readiness scores (<5) each and three dimensions (knowledge of child maltreatment prevention, scientific data on child maltreatment prevention, and will to address child maltreatment problem) had high readiness scores (≥5) each. There was significant disagreement between key informants and experts on the remaining 3 dimensions. Overall, Saudi Arabia has a moderate/fair readiness to implement large-scale child maltreatment prevention programs. Capacity building; strengthening of material resources; and improving institutional links, collaborations, and attitudes toward the child maltreatment problem are required to improve the country's readiness to implement such programs.
authors.affiliation: National Family Safety Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Maha A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Almuneef
authors.affiliation: National Family Safety Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qayad
authors.affiliation: National Family Safety Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ismail K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Noor
authors.affiliation: National Family Safety Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia; Department of Emergency Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Majid A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Eissa
authors.affiliation: National Family Safety Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Fadia S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Albuhairan
authors.affiliation: National Family Safety Program, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inam
authors.affiliation: Department of Violence & Injury Prevention, World health organization.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mikton
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002669:Child Welfare; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006295:Health Resources / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012529:Saudi Arabia