Tell me about yourself, what year are you, what program/discipline? Who is your mentor?

My name is Bassma Brnawi. Currently, I am a Nursing Science Ph.D. student. I am from Saudi Arabia. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2010. After graduating, I worked in pediatric ICU and as a teaching assistant for King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In Aug. 2013, I moved to the United Staties to study as a pediatric nurse practitioner as I received a scholarship from my work to study master’s degree in the United States. After graduating from master’s degree, I applied to Ph.D. program and was accepted at UT Health San Antonio. In 2016, I started the Ph.D. program. I am in my fifth year with my amazing mentor Dr. Andrea Berndt.

What is your research about?

Bassma Brnawi with Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia Dr. Tawfig Alrabiah.

My research topic is about pediatric nurses’ knowledge and attitudes about identifying and reporting cases of child abuse and neglect in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Why is your research important? What would you like the general public to know about it?

Child maltreatment is a worldwide public problem affecting around one billion children. Globally, the lifetime economic burden of child abuse and neglect is about seven trillion dollars. In many countries, pediatric healthcare workers are required by law to report cases of child abuse and neglect to a designated legal authority. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), it was not until 2009 when the Saudi Ministry of Social Affairs legally mandated educational and healthcare divisions to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to police and to Child Protective Center Services (CPCs). To date, there have been limited studies examining KSA pediatricians and dentists’ knowledge about identifying and reporting cases of child abuse and neglect. Findings from these studies revealed that KSA pediatricians and dentists were lacking in their knowledge of this information. Even less literature is available about KSA pediatric nurses’ knowledge and attitudes relative to identifying and reporting cases of child abuse and neglect. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to provide descriptive information on the knowledge and attitudes of KSA pediatric nurses in identifying and reporting cases of child abuse and neglect. Information gathered from this study will be useful for KSA hospitals and health organizations that are interested in improving their policies and procedures for identifying and reporting cases of child abuse and neglect. Moreover, this study may lead to future research exploring the state of child abuse and neglect cases in the KSA.

What are your future plans?

My future plans are to pursue my career as a faculty in nursing school and perform research and studies that will add to pediatric field. Plus, enjoying my time with my family.

What do you like to do outside of school?

I like cooking and working out. I got to be physically fit and healthy. I do weightlifting and boxing. Also, I love all kind of outdoor summer activities such as swimming, camping, hiking, and biking. Reading and learning new things are one of the things that I really like to do. Also, I love to travel and experience new places.