Adolescent Health Medicine and Therapeutics最新文献

Background: Birth through genocidal rape has a detrimental impact on the health of the offspring; however, there is scarce literature that focuses on efforts to support and reintegrate people born of this crime due to the lack of needs assessments that can inform policies and interventions.

Objective: This study sought to explore perceptions of the intervention utility and effectiveness in supporting and reintegrating offspring born of the 1994 genocidal rape against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Methods: A purposive sample of 16 dyads of non-partnered mothers raped in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and their offspring participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. The transcribed interview verbatims were uploaded to NVivo 12 and analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.

Results: The analysis resulted in several subthemes that were grouped into four main themes based on research questions. These themes included the reconstruction of a positive image (ie, hardworking, contribution to the community, supporting vulnerable people, etc.), the benefits of collaborating with peers in a similar situation (ie, a sense of belonging, self-acceptance, relieving distress and emotional pain, etc.), the support obtained from Survivors Fund Rwanda (ie, psychosocial support, financial support for school fees, support to get a job), and the intervention and strategies needed (ie, continuous psychosocial support, catch-up learning programs, accompaniment support, advocacy to get a job, supporting the parents, etc.).

Conclusion: Our results highlight how the youth born of genocidal rape are reconstructing a positive image and self-advocacy, their perception of obtained support, and the recommended intervention. These findings will help in initiating or strengthening interventions targeting this population, especially strategies to support and reintegrate them.

Background: Teenage pregnancy remains a common public health and social problem associated with negative health outcomes. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with teenage pregnancy among teenage girls aged 13-17 years in Agago district, Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a community-based, cross-sectional study between October and November 2020 in Lapono Sub-County, Agago district among teenage girls 13-17 years. Multi-stage sampling technique was used. Parishes, villages, and households were randomly selected (computer generated random numbers were used for household selection). In each household, one participant was randomly selected for interview and pregnancy testing. We collected data on socio-demographic factors using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. All eligible participants were tested for urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to determine independent predictors of teenage pregnancy, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 289 eligible participants, with a mean age of 15.1±1.5 years, were enrolled. Most (n=246, 81.5%) participants had attained primary education, 18 (6.2%) were married, 41 (14.2%) used alcohol, 62 (21.5%) had a history of sexual intercourse and 32 (11.1%) were sexually abused. The prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 2.8% (n=8). Factors significantly associated with teenage pregnancy were alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 13.2, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI): 1.7-100.6, p=0.013) and having secondary/tertiary education (aOR: 10.2, 95% CI: 1.5-71.9, p=0.02).

Conclusion: The study findings suggest that teenage pregnancy is still a public health and social problem in Agago district, Uganda. Interventions discouraging alcohol consumption and promoting education among teenagers are key in addressing the burden of teenage pregnancies in the district.

This review aimed to synthesize the minimal existing literature on the impact of perceived stigma on self-disclosure patterns among children and youth with epilepsy (YWE). Initial literature searches were conducted in PsycInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed using search terms focused on epilepsy, pediatrics, disclosure, and/or stigma. Articles were included if they were original human research articles published in peer-reviewed journals that were accessible in English through Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Pratt Library and fit study aims. Thirteen articles, which primarily used qualitative self-report methodologies, fit the study's inclusion criteria. YWE report greater perceived stigma and lower illness disclosure compared to youth with other chronic health conditions. Across studies, perceived stigma was consistently identified as a barrier to YWE disclosing their epilepsy diagnosis. Consequences of perceived stigma included lower self-esteem, poorer perceived competency, lack of self-confidence, social withdrawal, and lower quality of life. YWE's reluctance to disclose epilepsy was associated with worry about differential treatment, negative impact on close relationships, negative impact on others' perceptions, and negative self-perceptions. While WHO and ILAE have identified stigma as contributing to higher disease burden in people with epilepsy and have highlighted the importance of prioritizing social policy focused on decreasing epilepsy-related stigma, progress has been incremental and much work remains. Future research is needed to understand socio-cultural factors perpetuating stigma among YWE in order to further develop, evaluate, and disseminate evidence-based clinical and education programming to combat epilepsy-related stigma.

This paper reviews the current understanding of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and whether any treatment strategies have been effective. ME/CFS is a condition of as yet unknown etiology that commonly follows an infective process. It includes a new onset of fatigue (of more than 3-6 month duration and not relieved by rest), post-exertional malaise, cognitive difficulties and unrefreshing sleep, and frequently orthostatic intolerance, somatic symptoms and pain. Long COVID has renewed interest in the condition and stimulated research with findings suggestive of a multisystem neuroimmune disease. There are no definitively effective treatments. Despite earlier recommendations regarding graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavior therapy, the current recommendations are managing symptoms, with lifestyle management and supportive care. This paper provides an outline of strategies that young people and their families have reported as helpful in managing a chronic illness that impacts their life socially, physically, emotionally, cognitively and educationally. As the illness frequently occurs at a time of rapid developmental changes, reducing these impacts is reported to be as important as managing the physical symptoms. Young people face a mean duration of 5 years illness (range 1-16 years) with a likely residual 20% having significant restrictions after 10 years. Their feedback has suggested that symptom management, self-management strategies, advocacy and educational liaison have been the most helpful. They value professionals who will listen and take them seriously, and after excluding alternative diagnoses, they explain the diagnosis, are supportive and assist in monitoring their progress. Remaining engaged in education was the best predictor of later functioning. This allowed for social connections, as well as potential independence and fulfilling some aspirations. The need to consider the impact of this chronic illness on all aspects of adolescent development, as part of management, is highlighted.

Background: In many situations, it can still be challenging to talk about sexual and reproductive health rights, and the little scientific research available indicates that university students have a poor understanding of these issues. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health rights among university students in southeast Ethiopia.

Methodology: From February to March 2022, 483 study participants took part in an institutionally based cross-sectional study. The study participants were chosen using a SRS method. EpiData version 4.6.2.0 was used to enter data, and SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze it. A bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with SRHR knowledge. The odds ratio and a 95% confidence interval were used to calculate the significance level.

Results: The optimal level of knowledge on SRHR was discovered to be 52.1% [95% CI (47.32-55.08)] among university students in southeast Ethiopia. The multivariate binary logistic analysis indicated that being urban in the origin of residency [AOR=1.52, 95% CI (1.02-1.14)], being a health student [AOR= 12.21, 95% CI (7.27-14.88)], attending secondary school in private [AOR=6.12, 95% CI (1.02-1.14)], accessibility of a RH club on campus [AOR=6.12, 95% CI (1.02-1.14)] and participating in RH club [AOR=3.95, 95% CI (3.47-5.90)] to be variables that are strongly related to the optimal level of knowledge.

Conclusion and recommendation: Four out of ten students had poor knowledge of SRHR. The variables associated with a high level of knowledge about SRHR were urban residency, health students, attending a private secondary school, the availability of a RH club on campus, and participation in a RH club. Including sexual education in the non-health department's course, establishing RH clubs on campus, and encouraging participation of students in these clubs are recommended.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is an effective public health measure for the prevention of cancer of the cervix. We aimed to assess HPV vaccine coverage and associated factors in Gulu, Uganda.

Methods: In October 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among girls aged 9 to 13 years residing in Pece-Laroo Division, Gulu City, Uganda. HPV vaccine coverage was defined as receipt of at least a dose of the HPV vaccine.

Results: A total of 197 girls, with a mean age of 11±1.4 years, were enrolled. Most participants were of the Acholi tribe (89.3%, n=176), catholic (58.4%, n=115), and in primary 5 level of education (36%, n=71). Overall, 68(35%) participants had received the HPV vaccine. Factors associated with HPV vaccine utilization were, good knowledge of the HPV vaccine (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) =0.233, 95% confidence interval (95CI): 0.037-0.640, p=0.101), methods of HPV prevention (OR=0.320, 95CI: 0.112-0.914, p = 0.033), good knowledge of the importance of HPV vaccination (OR=0.458, 95% CI: 0.334-0.960, p=0.021), knowledge on frequency of HPV vaccination (OR=0.423, 95CI:0.173-0.733, p=0.059), and good mobilization (OR=0.443, 95% CI: 0.023-0.923, p=0.012).

Conclusion: In this community-based study, only one third of eligible girls received the HPV vaccine. Public health interventions are recommended exponentially to enhance the utilization of the HPV vaccine in this community.

Transgender adolescents seek gender-affirming medical care to address gender identity and incongruence. Improved understanding of the dermatologic impact of gender-affirming medical care such as pubertal suppression, hormone therapy, and surgeries can enhance patient outcome. Pubertal suppression treats dysphoria associated with development of secondary sex characteristics, including androgen-driven acne. Gender-affirming hormone therapy influences acne and hair development in transgender adolescents. Dermatologists can help manage skin effects associated with chest binding and gender-affirming hormone therapy and surgery. Provision of patient-centered gender-affirming care in dermatologic and multidisciplinary settings is essential to improve skin and overall outcomes of gender-affirming therapy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/AHMT.S219949.].