Effect of yoga on EUROFIT physical fitness parameters on adolescents dwelling in an orphan home: A randomized control study

Childhood parental loss, parental separation, poverty and rearing in orphanages have negative impact on physical, psychological and social well-being in orphans. Yoga has a profound knowledge base and practical solutions for such traumatic consequences. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a Yoga program on the physical fitness of adolescents staying in an orphanage. A total of 72 apparently healthy adolescents participated from an orphanage. They were randomized (based on their age and gender) and allocated into two groups as Yoga group (n = 40; 14 girls, 26 boys and age = 12.69 ± 1.35) and Wait-List Control group (WLC) (n = 32, 13 girls, 19 boys and age = 12.58 ± 1.52). The Yoga group (YG) underwent 3 months of Yoga program in a schedule of 90 mins/day and 4 days/week, whereas the WLC group underwent day-to-day activities. European physical fitness test battery (EUROFIT) was assessed in both groups at the beginning and end of the program. The group × time interaction analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) positive differences in Flamingo left-leg balance (FLL), Flamingo right-leg balance (FLR), left-hand tapping test (PTL), right-hand tapping test (PTR), sit and reach (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-ups (SUP), bent arm hang (BAH) test, shuttle run (SHR) in YG compared to WLC group. Further analysis done on group × time interaction along with Bonferroni-corrected p-values showed significant positive differences in FLL, FLR, PTL, PTR, SAR, SBJ and SUP in YG compared to WLC group. The results suggested that the 3-month Yoga program was found useful for the young orphan adolescents in improving their physical fitness.     

High prevalence of depression symptomology among adolescents in Soweto,South Africa associated with being female and cofactors relating to HIV transmission

Adolescents in HIV endemic settings are a priority demographic with respect to HIV prevention. Some studies have shown that behaviours associated with HIV transmission, may be mediated by mental health factors such as depression. We undertook this study to explore the prevalence and associations of depression symptomology among adolescents living in the HIV endemic community of Soweto, South Africa through the Botsha Bophelo Adolescent Health Study (BBAHS). We estimated the prevalence of depression using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale, using a score of ≥24 to indicate ‘probable depression’. Among the 789 adolescents (14–19 years) with depression scores, 262 (33%) met the criteria for probable depression (99 [38%] men and 163 [62%] women; p = 0.061). In multivariable logistic regression, factors independently associated with depression included being female (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.45–4.00), marijuana use (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI: 1.21–5.93), physical violence (AOR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01–2.62), pregnancy (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.03–3.88) and incarceration (AOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 0.99–4.42). These data indicate that a concerning proportion of adolescents in Soweto may be suffering from depression and those screened as potentially depressed, were more likely to be female and have cofactors relating to increased risk for HIV. As part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy, we recommend that depression screening for adolescents be integrated into public and school health programs that triage those suffering into treatment programs.     

Borderline personality disorder typical symptoms among Brazilian adolescents in a foster care institution

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms usually emerge during adolescence. Because it is a highly dysfunctional disorder, this study aimed to identify the presence of BPD typical symptoms in Brazilian adolescents in a foster care institution. This research was conducted with 44 adolescents ranging from 12 to 17 years old from a foster care institution in south of Brazil. The adolescents answered the instrument Borderline Symptoms List-23 to assess BPD symptomatology, and the psychologist of the institution answered a questionnaire about the adolescents regarding sex, age, education, the process of entering the institution and mental health history. The sample was divided in two groups: one composed of adolescents with problematic levels of symptoms, showing an intense presentation of BPD symptoms, and the other made of adolescents with non-problematic levels of symptoms, showing a slight presentation of BPD symptoms. Comparisons between sex and the instrument total scores showed that girls had significant higher means than boys (p < 0.05). Through regression analysis, the adolescents presenting problematic levels of symptoms were those who entered the foster care institution at 12 years old or older (p < 0.05), and were in high school (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate the presence of different levels of BPD symptoms in Brazilian adolescents in the foster care institution suggesting the importance of the development of interventions aiming mental health promotion.     

Altering Adolescents’ Pre-Bedtime Phone Use to Achieve Better Sleep Health

Mobile phone use is often blamed for adolescent sleeping difficulties in the popular and scientific literature, with correlations observed between adolescents’ mobile phone use and their bedtime. We aimed to obtain experimental evidence to support these causal claims. A within-subjects experiment (baseline, intervention) was conducted in adolescents’ homes, to determine the effect of restricting adolescents’ pre-bed mobile phone use on school night sleep habits. Following a baseline week, adolescents were given individualized phone stop times, 1 hour before bed for one school week. An online sleep diary was used to monitor bedtime, lights out time, sleep latency and total sleep. Sixty three adolescents (age range 14–18, M = 16.3, SD = 0.93yrs; 17%male) provided data. During one week of phone restriction, adolescents stopped using their phones earlier (80 min, p < .001), turned their lights off earlier (17 min, p = .01), and slept longer (21 min, p = .01). Participant recruitment was low (26%), indicating many adolescents lack motivation to negotiate changes to their evening phone use. Overall, there are potential benefits of restricted mobile phone use during the pre-sleep period, yet, future research is needed to identify non-technological interventions to increase adherence to phone restriction (e.g., motivational interviewing) or otherwise decrease pre-sleep arousal (e.g., cognitive strategies).     

South African abortion attitudes from 2007-2016: the roles of religiosity and attitudes toward sexuality and gender equality

ABSTRACT

Abortion is legal in South Africa, but negative abortion attitudes remain common and are poorly understood. We used nationally representative South African Social Attitudes Survey data to analyze abortion attitudes in the case of fetal anomaly and in the case of poverty from 2007 to 2016 (n = 20,711; ages = 16+). We measured correlations between abortion attitudes and these important predictors: religiosity, attitudes about premarital sex, attitudes about preferential hiring and promotion of women, and attitudes toward family gender roles. Abortion acceptability for poverty increased over time (b = 0.05, p < .001), but not for fetal anomaly (b = ?0.008, p = .284). Highly religious South Africans reported lower abortion acceptability in both cases (Odds Ratio (OR)_anomaly = 0.85, p = .015; OR_poverty = 0.84, p = .02). Premarital sex acceptability strongly and positively predicted abortion acceptability (OR_anomaly = 2.63, p < .001; OR_poverty = 2.46, p < .001). Attitudes about preferential hiring and promotion of women were not associated with abortion attitudes, but favorable attitudes about working mothers were positively associated with abortion acceptability for fetal anomaly ((OR_anomaly = 1.09, p = .01; OR_poverty = 1.02, p = .641)). Results suggest negative abortion attitudes remain common in South Africa and are closely tied to religiosity, traditional ideologies about sexuality, and gender role expectations about motherhood.     

Characteristics of Eating Habits and Physical Activity in Relation to Body Mass Index Among Adolescents

Objective: To assess eating habits and the level of physical activity in adolescents and develop a predictive model for the body mass index (BMI) based on these variables.

Design: In this cross-sectional study, eating habits and the level of physical activity were assessed using a questionnaire validated in adolescents. Body mass and height collected during the last annual checkup were extracted from personal medical records.

Subjects: The sample included 330 boys and 377 girls (mean age 15.8 ± 0.2 years) who were first-year high school students in the city of Belgrade, Serbia.

Measures: Responses to each of the 14 questions about eating habits and 6 questions about physical activity were scored from the least (0) to the most (3) desired behaviors. These ratings were then averaged to arrive to an aggregate score for each domain. The BMI was calculated according to the standard method. A series of regression analyses was performed to derive the best model for predicting BMI in boys and girls based on individual eating habits and physical activity items, first separately and then combined.

Results: In the sample, 24.5% of boys and 9.5% of girls were overweight or obese. Girls’ eating habits were better than boys (mean aggregate score 2.3 ± 0.3 and 2.1 ± 0.3, respectively, p < 0.001), whereas the level of physical activity was greater in boys than girls (2.1 ± 0.6 vs 1.9 ± 0.6, p < 0.001). The differences between boys and girls in the BMI, eating habits, and physical activity remained significant after controlling for their knowledge about healthy eating and education level of their parents. Eating habits were a better predictor of BMI than physical activity, particularly in boys (R ² = 0.13 vs R ² = 0.02) compared to girls (R ² = 0.04 vs R ² = 0.01). Combining eating habits and physical activity in the multivariate model of BMI resulted in a better predictive accuracy in boys (R ² = 0.17) but not girls (R ² = 0.04).

Conclusions: Eating habits and physical activity differ between adolescent boys and girls and can predict BMI, particularly in boys. The results suggest the need to develop gender-specific programs for promoting healthy lifestyle among adolescents in our country.     

A Behavior-Based Intervention That Prevents Sexual Assault: the Results of a Matched-Pairs,Cluster-Randomized Study in Nairobi,Kenya

Design

The study’s design was a cluster-randomized, matched-pairs, parallel trial of a behavior-based sexual assault prevention intervention in the informal settlements.

Methods

The participants were primary school girls aged 10–16. Classroom-based interventions for girls and boys were delivered by instructors from the same settlements, at the same time, over six 2-h sessions. The girls’ program had components of empowerment, gender relations, and self-defense. The boys’ program promotes healthy gender norms. The control arm of the study received a health and hygiene curriculum. The primary outcome was the rate of sexual assault in the prior 12 months at the cluster level (school level). Secondary outcomes included the generalized self-efficacy scale, the distribution of number of times victims were sexually assaulted in the prior period, skills used, disclosure rates, and distribution of perpetrators. Difference-in-differences estimates are reported with bootstrapped confidence intervals.

Results

Fourteen schools with 3147 girls from the intervention group and 14 schools with 2539 girls from the control group were included in the analysis. We estimate a 3.7 % decrease, p?=?0.03 and 95 % CI?=?(0.4, 8.0), in risk of sexual assault in the intervention group due to the intervention (initially 7.3 % at baseline). We estimate an increase in mean generalized self-efficacy score of 0.19 (baseline average 3.1, on a 1–4 scale), p?=?0.0004 and 95 % CI?=?(0.08, 0.39).

Interpretation

This innovative intervention that combined parallel training for young adolescent girls and boys in school settings showed significant reduction in the rate of sexual assault among girls in this population.

     

The association of fitness and school absenteeism across gender and poverty: a prospective multilevel analysis in New York City middle schools

Purpose

One-fifth to one-third of students in high poverty, urban school districts do not attend school regularly (missing ≥6 days/year). Fitness is shown to be associated with absenteeism, although this relationship may differ across poverty and gender subgroups.

Willingness to Access Peer-Delivered HIV Testing and Counseling Among People Who Inject Drugs in Bangkok, Thailand

Peer-based models for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing have been implemented to increase access to testing in various settings. However, little is known about the acceptability of peer-delivered testing and counseling among people who inject drugs (IDU). During July and October 2011, data derived from the Mitsampan Community Research Project were used to construct three multivariate logistic regression models identifying factors associated with willingness to receive peer-delivered pre-test counseling, rapid HIV testing, and post-test counseling. Among a total of 348 IDU, 44, 38, and 36 % were willing to receive peer-delivered pre-test counseling, rapid HIV testing, and post-test counseling, respectively. In multivariate analyses, factors associated with willingness to access peer-delivered pre-test counseling included: male gender (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.48), higher than secondary education (AOR = 1.91), and binge drug use (AOR = 2.29) (all p < 0.05). Factors associated with willingness to access peer-delivered rapid HIV testing included: higher than secondary education (AOR = 2.06), binge drug use (AOR = 2.23), incarceration (AOR = 2.68), avoiding HIV testing (AOR = 0.24), and having been to the Mitsampan Harm Reduction Center (AOR = 1.63) (all p < 0.05). Lastly, binge drug use (AOR = 2.40), incarceration (AOR = 1.94), and avoiding HIV testing (AOR = 0.23) (all p < 0.05) were significantly associated with willingness to access peer-delivered post-test counseling. We found that a substantial proportion of Thai IDU were willing to receive peer-delivered HIV testing and counseling. These findings highlight the potential of peer-delivered testing to complement existing HIV testing programs that serve IDU.     

Health Disparities Among Childrearing Women with Disabilities

This study examines leading health indicators for childrearing women with disabilities, including health-related quality of life, chronic health conditions, adverse and preventive health behaviors, health care access, and social and emotional support. The study analyzes aggregated data from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 28,629). The weighted prevalence of key health indicators of childrearing women with disabilities (aged 18–59) are compared with childrearing women without disabilities. A series of adjusted logistic regression analyses are applied, controlling for confounding variables. When compared to childrearing women without disabilities, childrearing women with disabilities are less likely to have a partner or spouse, report lower income and education levels and are older. Childrearing women with disabilities, compared to childrearing women without disabilities, report significantly lower health-related quality of life including poor general health (adjusted odds ratio[AOR] = 6.85; p < .001), frequent mental distress (AOR = 4.02; p < .001), and frequent poor physical health (AOR = 9.34; p < .001); higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, including arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and obesity (the range of AORs = 1.59 to 5.65; p < .001); higher prevalence of adverse health behaviors including smoking (AOR = 2.14; p < .001) and lack of exercise (AOR = 1.61; p < .001); more financial barriers to health care (AOR = 2.11; p < .001) and lack of social and emotional support (AOR = 2.05; p < .001) while controlling for age, education, income, and relationship status. Based on population level data, the study reveals that childrearing women with disabilities experience elevated risks of health disparities across many key health indicators, many of which are preventable and modifiable. These findings underscore the importance of identifying contributing factors and developing interventions to improve the health and quality of life of childrearing women with disabilities.     

Changes in body anthropometry and composition in obese adolescents in a lifestyle intervention program

Purpose

Impact of lifestyle modification on obesity control during adolescence, a period of significant physical growth and development, is less quantitatively evaluated. Therefore, we investigated the impact of changes in reported energy intake and physical activity on anthropometrics and body composition in adolescents.

Methods

Participants were obese adolescents aged 11–18 years. All of them have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 95th percentile specific for age and gender according to the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. The intervention consists of supervised physical activity, structured nutrition education and dietary modification, and behavioral support in 6 months. Hundred and forty-five obese adolescents completed the study.

Results

Compared to baseline, significant reductions in body weight (?1.4 kg, p < 0.001) and BMI (?0.1 kg/m², p < 0.001) were observed at 6 months. When compared to expected growth trajectories on the 2000 CDC Growth Charts, body weight and BMI were reduced by 3.6 kg and 1.5 kg/m², respectively, in boys and 5.6 kg and 1.9 kg/m² in girls. Age was inversely associated with changes in weight (β = ?1.48 kg, p < 0.01) and BMI (β = ?0.32 kg/m², p = 0.03). There was a dose–response relationship between reduction in energy intake and weight loss. A decrease of 100 kcal/day was significantly associated with reductions in body weight 0.30 kg, BMI 0.09 kg/m², and BMI Z score 0.01 (all p < 0.01). Physical activity was not significantly associated with changes in anthropometrics or body composition.

Conclusions

Reduction in energy intake was a significant predictor of obesity reduction in these adolescents. A quantitative evaluation of adolescent weight loss programs should account for natural growth and development.     

Improving HIV prevention programs: the role of identity in shaping healthy sexual behavior of rural adolescents in South Africa

A large body of literature highlights the role of culture and identity in how individuals manage and maintain health. Disappointingly there was no statistically significant decline in HIV prevalence in the 15–24 years age group in South Africa since 2007, Millennium Development Goal 6 indicator. This warrants a new approach to youth HIV prevention, which considers identity and culture, in male-dominant environments. We used identity-based motivation theory, which predicts that possible identities have a crucial influence on health-promoting behavior, to argue that girls are not currently attaining their low risk possible identities because sociocultural factors influence their behavior and compromise their health and economic outcomes. This study employed a cross-sectional survey among 285 rural black South African adolescents (mean age 16.7 years; 48.8% boys) to determine the salient social identity and the associated possible identities. We then tested whether youth behave in accordance with their possible identities. The dependent variables are non-risky behavior, risky behavior, and confidence to discuss sex. The independent variables are age, previous sex experience, and poverty. The adolescents chose gender as the most prominent social identity. Girls chose a safer possible identity than boys did, and girls do not actualize their possible identities while boys do. For girls, no dependent variables were significant. These results show that sociocultural barriers prevent the girls from actualizing their non-risky possible identity. Future adolescent HIV prevention programs aimed at reducing HIV should promote rights and responsibilities and consider cultural norms and beliefs to create a more gender-equal society that embraces less risky sexual behavior, in line with the idealized identity of girls. This to convince both male and female adolescents of the benefits, risks, and social harms embedded in certain traditional practices in a high HIV-prevalent environment.     

Different healthy habits between northern and southern Spanish school children

Aim

Healthy habits are influenced by several factors such as geographical location. The aims of this study were to describe and compare healthy habits within two populations of sixth-grade primary school children (aged 11–12 years) from northern and southern Spain.

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study using two representative samples of school children was conducted. Participants came from Logroño (n = 329) in the north and Granada (n = 284) in the south of Spain. Socio-demographic and anthropometric variables, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, aerobic fitness, and healthy lifestyles were recorded.

Results

Boys reported a higher level of physical activity and aerobic fitness than girls (p = 0.000). Southern school children reported significantly higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (♀: p = 0.041; ♂: p = 0.008), lower aerobic fitness (♀: p = 0.000; ♂: p = 0.042) and hours of nightly sleep (♀: p = 0.008, ♂: p = 0.007) than northern school children. Southern boys also reported lower levels of physical activity (p = 0.013). There were slight or moderate correlations among all habits measured (physical activity, diet, screen and sleep time). Additionally, the physical activity level was inversely related to weight status. Overweight and obese northern boys reported less physical activity than healthy-weight northern boys (p = 0.020) and overweight and obese southern girls reported less physical activity than healthy-weight southern girls (p = 0.024).

Conclusions

Results showed differences in physical activity, eating and sleep habits, and aerobic fitness according to geographical location. The relationships found among lifestyle habits indicate the need for health promotion interventions nationally and considering the differences discussed here.

     

Dietary Diversity and Meal Frequency Practices among Children Aged 6-23 Months in Agro Pastoral Communities in Afar Region,Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices in the first two years of life are among the major causes of childhood malnutrition in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Dietary diversity refers to increasing the consumption of a variety of foods across and within the food groups. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency practices among children aged 6–23 months in Agro pastoral communities, Afar Region, Ethiopia.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1–30, 2018. A multi-stage stratified sampling followed by a systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency. The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to see the association between the outcome and independent variables. The statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05.

Results: The proportion of children who met the minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency were 21.8% (95% CI: 19.0%-24.7%) and 43.8% (95% CI: 40.4%-47.2%) respectively. Maternal education (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.1–5.3 and AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.3–11.5), maternal occupation (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.3–7.8), sex of child (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.5–4.5) and history of postnatal care visit (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–3.2) were independently associated with minimum dietary diversity. Similarly, age of child (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4–5.5 and AOR = 5.3, 95% CI = 2.3–12.4), sex of child (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4–4.6) and history of postnatal care visit (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3–3.8) were the factors significantly associated with minimum meal frequency practices.

Conclusions: The current study showed that the proportions of children who met the minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency were low. Increasing maternal education, being a housewife, being a male child and attending a postnatal care visit were independently associated with minimum dietary diversity. Likewise, increasing the age of a child, being a male child and attending a postnatal care visit were significantly associated with minimum meal frequency. Improving maternal education and health care utilization, health and nutrition counseling during postnatal care visits are highly recommended to improve infant and young child feeding practices.

Abbreviations ANC: Ante Natal Care, DHS: Demographic and Health Surveys, EDHS: Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys, RERC: Research and Ethical Review Committee, IYCF: Infant and Young Child Feeding, MDD: Minimum Dietary Diversity, MMF: Minimum Meal Frequency, PNC: Post Natal Care, WHO: World Health Organization.     

Text Message Delivered Peer Network Counseling for Adolescent Smokers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Although adolescent tobacco use has declined in the last 10 years, African American high school seniors’ past 30-day use has increased by 12 %, and as they age they are more likely to report lifetime use of tobacco. Very few urban youth are enrolled in evidenced-based smoking prevention and cessation programming. Therefore, we tested a text messaging smoking cessation intervention designed to engage urban youth through an automated texting program utilizing motivational interviewing-based peer network counseling. We recruited 200 adolescents (90.5 % African American) into a randomized controlled trial that delivered either the experimental intervention of 30 personalized motivational interviewing-based peer network counseling messages, or the attention control intervention, consisting of text messages covering general (non-smoking related) health habits. All adolescents were provided smart phones for the study and were assessed at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months post intervention. Utilizing repeated measures general linear models we examined the effects of the intervention while controlling for race, gender, age, presence of a smoker in the home, and mental health counseling. At 6 months, participants in the experimental condition significantly decreased the number of days they smoked cigarettes and the number of cigarettes they smoked per day; they significantly increased their intentions not to smoke in the future; and significantly increased peer social support among girls. For boys, participants in the experimental condition significantly reduced the number of close friends in their networks who smoke daily compared to those in the control condition. Effect sizes ranged from small to large. These results provide encouraging evidence of the efficacy of text messaging interventions to reduce smoking among adolescents and our intervention holds promise as a large-scale public health preventive intervention platform.     

Explaining educational inequalities in adolescent life satisfaction: do health behaviour and gender matter?

Objectives

There is little evidence on the explanation of health inequalities based on a gender sensitive perspective. The aim was to investigate to what extent health behaviours mediate the association between educational inequalities and life satisfaction of boys and girls.

Methods

Data were derived from the German part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study 2010 (n = 5,005). Logistic regression models were conducted to investigate educational inequalities in life satisfaction among 11- to 15-year-old students and the relative impact of health behaviour in explaining these inequalities.

Results

Educational inequalities in life satisfaction were more pronounced in boys than in girls from lower educational tracks (OR 2.82, 95 % CI 1.97–4.05 and OR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.68–3.14). For adolescents belonging to the lowest educational track, behavioural factors contributed to 18 % (boys) and 39 % (girls) in the explanation of educational inequalities in life satisfaction.

Conclusions

The relationship between educational track and life satisfaction is substantially mediated by health-related behaviours. To tackle inequalities in adolescent health, behavioural factors should be targeted at adolescents from lower educational tracks, with special focus on gender differences.     

Sex differences in fitness outcomes among minority youth after participation in a park-based after-school program

Purpose

This study aimed to describe sex differences in fitness outcomes after participation in Fit2Play, a park-based after-school health and wellness program.

Adolescent Childbearing and Women’s Attitudes Towards Wife Beating in 25 Sub-Saharan African Countries

Preventing unwanted adolescent pregnancy is key for keeping girls in school, leading to a more productive and healthier workforce in sub-Saharan Africa. Gender norms are an important indicator of the status of women and more conservative gender norms are associated with experiencing domestic violence, and poorer maternal and reproductive health care. This paper examines the association between adolescent childbearing and norms towards wife beating in sub-Saharan Africa, and the role of education in moderating this association. Data come from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys–nationally representative cross-sectional surveys conducted every 5 years. Country-by-country multivariable logistic regressions were conducted in 25 countries, and country and regional estimates were obtained using meta-analytical techniques. More than half of sub-Saharan African adolescents have a child, with levels ranging from 23 % in Rwanda to 69 % in Niger. Between 12 and 87 % of women believed wife beating is acceptable. In 20 of the 25 countries, women with a birth during adolescence were significantly more likely to believe wife beating is justified [OR = 1.39; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 130–1.39]. After multivariate adjustment, the overall finding remains statistically significant [AOR = 1.09; 95 % CI 105–1:13]. Education attenuates the observed association. Overall, the effects are strongest and most consistent in West Africa. Results suggest that women who have an adolescent birth more likely to hold more conservative attitudes. Working with adolescents to improve their attitudes on relationship expectations and the importance of furthering their education even after a pregnancy could be integrated into life skills and sexual education curricula.     

Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents in Cape Town,South Africa

This study aimed to describe potentially preventable factors in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization among South African 8th grade students. Data were collected during a pilot evaluation of a classroom 8th grade curriculum on gender-based violence prevention in nine public schools in Cape Town through self-completed interviews with 549 8th grade students, 238 boys and 311 girls. Structural equation models (SEM) predicting IPV were constructed with variables a priori hypothesized to be associated. The majority of students (78.5 %) had had a partner in the past 3 months, and they reported high rates of IPV during that period (e.g., over 10 % of boys reported forcing a partner to have sex, and 39 % of girls reported physical IPV victimization). A trimmed version of the hypothesized SEM (CFI?=?.966; RMSEA?=?.051) indicated that disagreement with the ideology of male superiority and violence predicted lower risk of IPV (p?<?.001), whereas the frequency of using negative conflict resolution styles (e.g., walking off angrily, sending angry text messages, or refusing to talk to them) predicted high IPV risk (p?<?.001) and mediated the impact of heavy alcohol drinking on IPV (Sobel test, z?=?3.16; p?<?.001). The model fit both girls and boys, but heavy drinking influenced negative styles of resolving conflict more strongly among girls than boys. Findings suggest that interventions to reduce IPV among South African adolescents should challenge attitudes supportive of male superiority and violence; encourage use of positive conflict resolution styles; and discourage heavy alcohol use among both boys and girls.     

Identifying variables in relation to health-related quality of life among married women of reproductive age in Sivas Turkey

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional study was performed to identify the factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among 1,236 married Turkish women aged 15–49 years, in the urban area of Sivas, between January and July 2017. Multiple logistic regression analyzes showed that being unemployed [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18–2.25], and having an unsatisfying sexual life (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.17–2.03), a chronic illness (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.27–2.17), more than three children (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.03–1.86), and experienced domestic violence (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.55–2.98) were associated with worse mental HRQoL. Having less than a high school education (AOR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.33–3.02), a chronic illness (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.88–3.30), a history of abortion (AOR = 1.59, CI = 1.09–2.31), and experienced domestic violence (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.21–2.40) were associated with worse physical HRQoL. These findings suggest that health care providers or policy makers should pay special attention to unemployed women who are less educated, have more than three children and those having unsatisfied sexual lives, chronic illness, domestic violence experience and abortion history to enhance their HRQoL.