International Journal of Innovative Research in Health Science

Background: Child sexual abuse is a significant public health and social problem that impacts children's physical, emotional and psychological health. Children should be educated at an early age on the concept of good touch and bad touch to encourage them to take steps to protect themselves and report any abuse or poor conduct promptly. Aim: To assess the knowledge level about good touch and bad touch among the school going children in Kalitherthalkuppam, Puducherry. Methods: A quantitative descriptive research design was used in the study. The study was carried out in a selected school with 50 school going children of 6-12 years age group by using convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data which included 30 items of knowledge questionnaire for good touch and bad touch along with the demographic variables. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of data was done by frequency, percentage and chi square test at a p value of < 0.05. Results: The results showed that 44% moderately adequate knowledge, 40% inadequate knowledge, and 16% adequate knowledge about good touch and bad touch among the children. Majority of the participants were in the age group of 8-10 years (40 %), male (52 %), studying in Primary School (44 %) and Rural (100 %). Knowledge level was significantly correlated with age (p = 0.037), education level (p = 0.036), family income (p = 0.045) and previous knowledge (p = 0.002). Conclusion: It has been concluded that there is still a lack of awareness about many school-going children about good touch and bad touch.