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PloS One 2024
Topics: Humans; Registries; Infant; Female; Male; Child Abuse; Shaken Baby Syndrome; Infant, Newborn; Hospitalization
PubMed: 38935744
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306433 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Oct 2023Child sexual abuse occurs in a variety of settings and the POCSO Act, 2012 came into force with effect from November 14, 2012.
BACKGROUND
Child sexual abuse occurs in a variety of settings and the POCSO Act, 2012 came into force with effect from November 14, 2012.
OBJECTIVES
A community-based cross-sectional study to assess the knowledge regarding the POCSO Act among adults in the rural community of Chandigarh was carried out in full compliance with ethical standards provided by the institutional research and ethical committee.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A nonprobability sampling technique was used to select 190 subjects from Sector 56, Palsora, Chandigarh.
RESULTS
This study found that 55.8% have an adequate level of knowledge and 44.2% have an inadequate level of knowledge.
CONCLUSIONS
The variables heard or seen by a victim of child abuse have only significant associations with the level of knowledge.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; India; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Female; Adult; Male; Child Abuse, Sexual; Child; Rural Population; Middle Aged; Young Adult
PubMed: 38934821
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1637_22 -
Indian Journal of Public Health Oct 2023Depression is a common illness, it being the fourth-leading cause of disability in the world. The global lifetime prevalence falls between 8% and 12%, with female...
Depression is a common illness, it being the fourth-leading cause of disability in the world. The global lifetime prevalence falls between 8% and 12%, with female preponderance. A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the burden of depression among married women in a rural setting in North Kerala and identify its sociodemographic risk factors. The sample size was calculated to be 453 (prevalence = 24.9%; error = 20%; design-effect = 1.5). Systematic random sampling was used to select the participants from the eligible couple register. They were interviewed using MINI and Montgomery-Ashberg Depression Rating Scales. Descriptive analysis showed that 24.2% was suffering from current depression, mostly mild and none severe. Two percent reported past depression and 5.4% experienced spousal violence. Poor family support, experience of domestic violence, morbidity, and older spouses were found to be significant risk factors. The provision of mental health services by trained personnel and strict vigilance against the marriage of girls below the legal age and domestic violence are need of the hour.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; India; Prevalence; Adult; Rural Population; Depression; Risk Factors; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult; Marriage; Spouses; Sociodemographic Factors; Domestic Violence
PubMed: 38934818
DOI: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1543_22 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024To determine whether maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are (a) associated with increased inflammatory gene expression in mother-child dyads and (b) whether a... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are (a) associated with increased inflammatory gene expression in mother-child dyads and (b) whether a parenting intervention (ATTACH™) moderates the association between maternal ACEs and mother and/or child inflammatory gene expression.
METHODS
Twenty mother-child dyads, recruited from a domestic violence shelter in Calgary, AB, Canada, were randomized into an ATTACH™ parenting intervention group ( = 9) or a wait-list control group ( = 11). Maternal ACEs were assessed. The mothers and children each provided one non-fasting blood sample after the intervention group completed the ATTACH™ program, which was assayed to quantify the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity (CTRA) score, indicating inflammatory gene expression profile. Mixed-effect linear models were used, separately in mothers and children, to examine the associations between CTRA score, maternal ACEs, and the ACEs-by-intervention group interaction term. The covariates were age, sex, ethnicity, and maternal medication use.
RESULTS
Higher maternal ACEs were associated with higher child CTRA scores ( = 0.123 ± SE 0.044, = 0.005), indicating an increased pro-inflammatory gene expression profile. The ATTACH™ parenting intervention moderated this association between maternal ACEs and child CTRA scores ( = 0.328 ± SE 0.133, = 0.014). In mothers, the ACEs-by-intervention interaction terms were insignificant ( = 0.305).
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal ACEs could exert an intergenerational impact on child inflammatory activity, and this association could be moderated by participating in the ATTACH™ parenting intervention.
Topics: Humans; Female; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Male; Adult; Child; Parenting; Gene Expression; Mothers; Child, Preschool; Inflammation
PubMed: 38929022
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060776 -
Research Involvement and Engagement Jun 2024Clustering and co-occurring of family adversities, including mental health problems, substance use, domestic violence and abuse, as well as poverty can increase health...
Co-design workshops with families experiencing multiple and interacting adversities including parental mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and poverty: intervention principles and insights from mothers, fathers, and young people.
BACKGROUND
Clustering and co-occurring of family adversities, including mental health problems, substance use, domestic violence and abuse, as well as poverty can increase health and behavioural risks for children, which persist throughout the life course. Yet, interventions that acknowledge and account for the complex interactive nature of such risks are limited. This study aimed to develop intervention principles based on reflections from mothers, fathers, and young people who experience multiple and interacting adversities. These principles will show how family members perceive an intervention may bring about positive change and highlight key insights into design and delivery.
METHODS
A series of six co-design workshops with mothers, fathers, and young people who experienced multiple and interacting adversities (n = 41) were iteratively conducted across two regions in England (London and North-East) by four researchers. Workshop content and co-design activities were informed by advisory groups. Data from facilitator notes and activities were analysed thematically, resulting in a set of intervention principles.
RESULTS
The intervention principles highlighted that: (1) to reduce isolation and loneliness parents and young people wanted to be connected to services, resources, and peer support networks within their local community, particularly by a knowledgeable and friendly community worker; (2) to address feelings of being misunderstood, parents and young people wanted the development of specialised trauma informed training for practitioners and to have the space to build trusting, gradual, and non-stigmatising relationships with practitioners; and (3) to address the needs and strengths of individual family members, mothers, fathers, and young people wanted separate, tailored, and confidential support.
CONCLUSIONS
The current study has important implications for practice in supporting families that experience multiple and interacting adversities. The intervention principles from this study share common characteristics with other intervention models currently on offer in the United Kingdom, including social prescribing, but go beyond these to holistically consider the whole families' needs, environments, and circumstances. There should be particular focus on the child's as well as the mothers' and fathers' needs, independently of the family unit. Further refinement and piloting of the developing intervention are needed.
PubMed: 38926798
DOI: 10.1186/s40900-024-00584-0 -
European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2024Emerging evidence has linked childhood maltreatment with cardiovascular disease risk; however, the association between childhood maltreatment and cardiac arrhythmias...
Emerging evidence has linked childhood maltreatment with cardiovascular disease risk; however, the association between childhood maltreatment and cardiac arrhythmias remains unclear. Moreover, any genetic predispositions to atrial fibrillation (AF), a common cardiac arrhythmia associated with an elevated risk of stroke, heart failure, and mortality, that modify such associations have been undocumented. To examine the associations between childhood maltreatment and incident arrhythmias, and whether a genetic predisposition to arrhythmias modifies these associations. This prospective analysis included 151,741 participants from the UK Biobank (mean age 55.8 years, 43.4% male). Childhood maltreatment, including five types, was measured using the Childhood Trauma Screener (CTS). Incident arrhythmias (AF, ventricular arrhythmias [VA], and bradyarrhythmia [BA]) were documented through linked hospital admission and death registry. Weighted AF genetic risk score was calculated. Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to test for associations between childhood maltreatment and incident arrhythmias. During a median follow-up of 12.21 years (interquartile range, 11.49-12.90 years), 6,588 AF, 2,093 BA, and 742 VA events occurred. Compared with the absence of childhood maltreatment, having 3-5 types of childhood maltreatment was associated with an increased risk of incident AF (HR, 1.23; 95%CI 1.09-1.37), VA (HR, 1.39; 95%CI 1.03-1.89), and BA (HR, 1.32; 95%CI 1.09-1.61) after adjusting demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. The associations between cumulative type of childhood maltreatment and the risk of AF (< .001; = .674) and BA (= .007; = .377) demonstrated a linear pattern. There was a gradient association between childhood maltreatment and AF risks across the intermediate and high genetic risk groups (both < .05) but not within the low genetic risk group (= .378), irrespective of non-significant interaction effect (= .204). Childhood maltreatment was associated with higher risks of incident arrhythmias, especially AF and BA. Genetic risk of AF did not modify these associations.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Prospective Studies; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Middle Aged; United Kingdom; Risk Factors; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Adult; Cohort Studies; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; Child Abuse
PubMed: 38912597
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2366055 -
Cureus May 2024Introduction Domestic violence (DV) in the form of verbal abuse is very common among women, especially pregnant women, posing as a serious public health issue that...
Introduction Domestic violence (DV) in the form of verbal abuse is very common among women, especially pregnant women, posing as a serious public health issue that could lead to complications in pregnancy and threaten maternal and fetal outcomes. Studies have determined that domestic verbal abuse (DVA) in pregnancy was more common in women less than 25 years of age as well as in those with low education levels. This study determined the overall prevalence of verbal abuse in pregnant women, in a semi-urban population and is unique in that the verbal abuse in pregnant women with a previous girl child was also determined. This study helps healthcare providers identify the potential causes of DVA in pregnancy and provide timely interventions in the form of counseling for pregnant women and families. Objective This observational study was carried out to assess the prevalence of DVA among pregnant women, to determine the trimester of occurrence of DVA among pregnant women, and to explore the associations of DVA with age, employment status, parity gestational age, and birth weight. Materials and methods This was a six-month hospital-based observational study conducted at Dr D. Y. Patil Medical College's in-patient department (IPD) of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Pimpri, Pune. Consent was obtained from 200 pregnant women who received admission for delivery and provided a validated modified copy of a DV assessment screening questionnaire. A statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 10. A Chi-square test was employed wherever required, and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results The study included 200 pregnant women, who were admitted to the hospital for delivery. The prevalence of DV in the form of verbal abuse was noted to be 74 out of 200 (37%). The working status of the woman showed an influence on DVA. There was also a significant increase in verbal abuse (68%) among the age group between 18 and 23 years. The previous delivery of a female child also had a significant impact on DVA, which turned out to be more prevalent, particularly if two female children were born previously (80%). The study also noted higher rates of preterm deliveries in pregnant women with DVA being 57%. Conclusion The study demonstrates that women, even in modern times, experience DVA during pregnancy, especially among the younger age group. It has also been found that it is more common among women who are financially dependent due to maternal unemployment. As a result, there is a need to routinely screen pregnant women for DVA to avoid potentially detrimental pregnancy outcomes and to prevent ongoing abuse.
PubMed: 38903275
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60740 -
Child Maltreatment Jun 2024Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with negative health outcomes in adulthood, including deliberate self-harm (DSH), suicidal behaviours, and victimisation. It is...
Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with negative health outcomes in adulthood, including deliberate self-harm (DSH), suicidal behaviours, and victimisation. It is unknown if associations extend to emergency department (ED) presentations for non-DSH related injuries. Birth cohort study data was linked to administrative health data, including ED presentations for non DSH related injuries and agency-reported and substantiated notifications for CM. Adjusted analyses ( = 6087) showed that any type of agency-reported notification for CM was significantly associated with increased odds of ED presentation for injuries (aOR = 1.57; 95% CI 1.32-1.87). In moderation analyses, women yielded significantly higher odds of notified and substantiated physical abuse, substantiated emotional abuse, and being subject to more than one type of substantiated abuse than males. ED presentations for injuries could be a proxy for risky behaviours, disguised DSH/suicidal behaviours, or physical abuse. The consistent findings in women may point to victimisation via interpersonal violence.
PubMed: 38901464
DOI: 10.1177/10775595241264009 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Aug 2024Childhood maltreatment (CM) is linked to self-reported liver disease in adulthood. However, specific diagnostic entities, e.g., metabolic dysfunction-associated...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Childhood maltreatment (CM) is linked to self-reported liver disease in adulthood. However, specific diagnostic entities, e.g., metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) as the most frequent chronic liver disease, and sex-differences have previously not been considered.
METHODS
Cross-sectional analyses were conducted in 4188 adults from a population-based cohort in Northeastern Germany after excluding individuals with excessive alcohol consumption, cirrhosis, or chronic viral hepatitis. CM-exposure was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Liver-related outcomes included serologic liver enzymes, fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4) and, in 1863 subjects who underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination, liver fat content. Sex-stratified linear regression and logistic regression models predicting liver-related outcomes and risk for MASLD, respectively, from overall CTQ scores were adjusted for age, school education, alcohol consumption, and waist circumference. Exploratory analyses investigated effects of CTQ-subscales on liver-related outcomes and risk for MASLD.
RESULTS
In both sexes, overall CM-exposure was associated with higher levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase and FIB-4 score. In men, effects were mainly driven by physical abuse, and in women by emotional neglect. Only in men, overall CM-exposure (β = 0.70, 95%-CI 0.26-1.13, p = 0.002) and four CTQ-subscales were associated with greater liver fat content, and physical abuse (aOR = 1.22, 95%-CI 1.02-1.46, p = 0.034) and physical neglect (aOR = 1.25, 95%-CI 1.04-1.49, p = 0.015) were associated with higher risk for MASLD.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest sex differences in the association between CM and objective serum and imaging markers of MASLD in adulthood. For men especially, a history of CM-exposure may increase risk of developing MASLD in adulthood.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; Middle Aged; Adult; Germany; Sex Factors; Fatty Liver; Child Abuse; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Adult Survivors of Child Abuse; Risk Factors; Aged
PubMed: 38896985
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111829 -
The Journal of Headache and Pain Jun 2024Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels have been implicated in the neurobiological underpinnings of migraine. Considering the clinical... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels have been implicated in the neurobiological underpinnings of migraine. Considering the clinical similarities between migraine and persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH), we aimed to examine whether MaxiPost (a BK channel opener) could induce migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH.
METHODS
This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-way crossover study from September 2023 to December 2023. Eligible participants were adults with PPTH after mild traumatic brain injury who reported having no personal history of migraine. The randomized participants received a single dose of either MaxiPost (0.05 mg/min) or placebo (isotonic saline) that was infused intravenously over 20 minutes. The two experiment sessions were scheduled at least one week apart to avoid potential carryover effects. The primary endpoint was the induction of migraine-like headache after MaxiPost as compared to placebo within 12 hours of drug administration. The secondary endpoint was the area under the curve (AUC) values for headache intensity scores between MaxiPost and placebo over the same 12-hour observation period.
RESULTS
Twenty-one adult participants (comprising 14 females and 7 males) with PPTH were enrolled and completed both experiment sessions. The proportion of participants who developed migraine-like headache was 11 (52%) of 21 participants after MaxiPost infusion, in contrast to four (19%) participants following placebo (P = .02). Furthermore, the median headache intensity scores, represented by AUC values, were higher following MaxiPost than after placebo (P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that BK channel opening can elicit migraine-like headache in persons with PPTH. Thus, pharmacologic blockade of BK channels might present a novel avenue for drug discovery. Additional investigations are nonetheless needed to confirm these insights and explore the therapeutic prospects of BK channel blockers in managing PPTH.
GOV IDENTIFIER
NCT05378074.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Double-Blind Method; Cross-Over Studies; Post-Traumatic Headache; Migraine Disorders; Middle Aged; Brain Concussion; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channel alpha Subunits; Young Adult; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels
PubMed: 38890563
DOI: 10.1186/s10194-024-01808-0