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Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW), biological vulnerability that includes preterm birth (PTB) and small for gestational age (SGA), is associated with reduced maternal sensitivity ("making accurate inferences about an infant's physical and emotional needs and responding appropriately") and impaired infant cognitive development. However, research does not examine if preterm birth, SGA, or both drive these associations. This study separated these measures of biological vulnerability to examine associations of LBW, PTB, and SGA with maternal sensitivity and infant cognitive development (controlling for maternal depression, breastfeeding, and demographic covariates). Methods: The sample included 6900 9-month-old infants from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort and used birth certificate data, maternal interviews, assessments of maternal sensitivity and infant cognitive development. Multiple linear regressions examined LBW, PTB, and SGA associations with concurrent measures of maternal sensitivity and infant cognition. Results: Of the biological vulnerabilities, preterm birth had the strongest negative association with maternal sensitivity (F1,6450 = 29.48 versus 15.33 and 5.51, ps <.001) and infant cognitive development (F1,6450) = 390.65 versus 248.02 and 14.43, ps <.001). In the final regression model, preterm birth and maternal sensitivity were uniquely associated with infant cognitive development (R2 =.05, p <.001), after controlling for maternal depression, breastfeeding, and demographics. Conclusion: In this nationally representative infant sample infants, PTB had a stronger negative association with both maternal sensitivity and infant cognitive development in comparison to SGA or LBW. The LBW designation combines infants born preterm with SGA infants, potentially minimizing differences in developmental outcomes of PTB and SGA infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse childhood events (ACEs) are associated with negative health effects in adulthood. Despite knowledge of these later impacts, little is known about the earlier effect of ACEs on later child behaviour in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC). Methods: The population‐based Asenze cohort study was implemented in a peri‐rural area of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, comprising five Zulu tribal areas. Two waves of data were examined: family information and ACEs exposure when children were on average 5 years old and child behaviour problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ]) approximately 2 years later (average age 7 years). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine unadjusted and adjusted relationships between cumulative ACEs experienced and the SDQ total scores (dichotomized as top 10% vs. the rest) as well as selected SDQ subscales. Results: A significant relationship between increased ACE exposure and SDQ total score was observed. The same relationship was also seen for the SDQ emotional symptoms and conduct problem subscales, but not for hyperactivity. The results of a sensitivity analysis excluding intimate partner violence from the ACEs measure demonstrated similar results. Conclusions: There is an association between exposure to ACEs and later child behaviour problems within this LMIC population demonstrating an early negative impact for ACEs. While previous research has focused on the effects of ACEs on adult health, this study provided evidence for an earlier relationship between ACEs and child behaviour problems that may be a part of the mechanism through which later health effects arise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research is just beginning to explore the intersection of bullying and relationship violence. The relationship between these forms of youth aggression has yet to be examined in diverse urban centers, including New York City (NYC). This study seeks to identify intersections of joint victimization from bullying and electronic bullying (e-bullying) with physical relationship violence (pRV). This study examines data from the NYC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a representative sample of NYC public high school students, to assess the concurrent victimization from bullying at school and e-bullying with pRV, operationalized as physical violence by a dating partner in the past 12 months. Students who reported being bullied at school and e-bullied had increased odds (bullied: OR = 2.5, 95% CI [2.1, 2.9]; e-bullied: OR = 3.0, 95% CI [2.6, 3.5]) of also being victimized by pRV compared with those who did not report being bullied or e-bullied. In logistic regression models, being bullied at school and being e-bullied remained significant predictors of students’ odds of reporting pRV (bullied: AOR = 2.6, 95% CI [2.2, 3.1]; e-bullied: AOR = 3.0, 95% CI [2.5, 3.6]) while controlling for race, gender, sexual orientation, and age. This research is the first to assess the intersection of victimization from bullying and e-bullying with pRV in a large, diverse, random sample of urban high school students. In this sample, students who report being bullied or e-bullied are more likely also to report pRV than students who have not been bullied or e-bullied. This research has potential implications for educators, adolescent health and social service providers, and policy makers to tailor programs and enact policies that jointly address bullying and pRV. Future studies are needed to longitudinally assess both victimization from and perpetration of bullying and pRV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Given the high prevalence of mental health (MH) and substance abuse problems in low-to-middle income countries, the scarcity of MH professionals and the negative impact of psychiatric disorders on caregivers of young children, there is significant need for brief evidence-based screening tools for lay counselors to assist with MH assessment. This study aimed to validate a brief screening tool to assess psychiatric and substance use disorders, the Client Diagnostic Questionnaire (CDQ), in South Africa (SA). Methods Data are from a longitudinal study of health and psychosocial needs in preschool children in SA. Participants included 322 Zulu-speaking, female caregivers. Following procedures of the US CDQ validation study, lay counselors interviewed participants using the translated Zulu CDQ. Subsequently a psychologist conducted a full psychiatric assessment guided by the CDQ questions. Analyses examined sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy, comparing lay counselor and psychologist assessment. Results Sensitivity (73%), specificity (81%) and overall accuracy (79%) were good for the variable indicating presence of 'any diagnosis.' Among those cases identified by the psychologist as having any psychiatric diagnosis, over 70% were correctly identified by lay counselors using the CDQ (i.e., positive predictive value was greater than 70%). The false positive rate was relatively low (19%). Specificity for 'any disorder' (including substance use) and 'any psychiatric disorder' were 81% and 79%. Conclusions The isiZulu CDQ is a sensitive and valid MH diagnostic screener that can be used by lay counselors with limited MH training to identify those in need of treatment and target extremely scarce MH professionals. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages South Africa (SA), a country heavily impacted by poverty, HIV and the legacy of Apartheid, has a high prevalence of mental health (MH) and substance abuse problems., In SA and other low-and-middle-income-countries (LMIC) there is a dearth of MH professionals., This study examined use and validity of the Client Diagnostic Questionnaire (CDQ), a brief diagnostic MH screening tool designed for use by lay counselors in HIV-affected populations., Comparing lay counsellor diagnoses on the CDQ to clinician assessment, sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy were good at the level of 'any diagnosis.', The CDQ can be used effectively in SA and other LMIC with limited MH services to enable appropriate and efficient referral of individuals in primary care settings, supporting caregivers and the children in their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Johnson’s intimate partner violence (IPV) typology—categorizing IPV by both use and receipt of physical violence and controlling behaviors—effectively predicts IPV consequences among adults. His typology has not yet been applied to adolescents, an important population for early IPV intervention. Therefore, in analyzing IPV covariates among 493 female urban high school students, we used as key predictors both Johnson’s original typology and, for enhanced clarity, a relationship-level extension. Preliminary evidence suggests that the pattern of adolescent IPV differs substantially from that of adult IPV and that a relationship-level typology provided additional clarity in categorizing this pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previous research has shown that there is an overlap between experiences of youth violence and adolescent relationship violence. Yet, little research exists which investigates the sex differences in the associations between specific types of youth violence and relationship violence while controlling for potential confounders. This study addresses this gap in the literature by exploring the associations between experiences of youth violence and receiving and delivering relationship violence in an urban adolescent sample. From 2006 to 2007, 1,454 adolescents aged 13 to 21 years in New York City completed an anonymous survey that included the validated Conflict in Adolescent Relationships Inventory that estimates experiences of relationship violence in the previous year as well as the prevalence of various exposures to youth violence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed the overlap between experiencing other types of youth violence and delivering and receiving physical relationship violence and sexual coercion. Compared with youth in nonviolent relationships, we found a significant association between delivering and receiving relationship physical violence and sexual coercion with participating in a fight, missing school due to fear, being threatened/injured with a weapon, gang membership, and carrying a weapon among both males and females. We also identified the sex differences between these specific associations of youth and relationship violence. Service providers working with adolescents experiencing relationship violence should be aware that they face a higher concurrent risk of experiencing or participating in other forms of youth violence. Likewise, providers working in the area of youth violence intervention and prevention should consider the possibility of concurrent relationship violence. Based on these findings, further research should explore whether interventions targeting relationship violence can also impact participation in youth violence and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of prenatal maternal iron deficiency (ID) on cord blood serum ferritin (CBSF) concentration and infant cognitive and motor development. METHODS: Our prospective cohort study included 636 mother-singleton child pairs from 828 eligible pregnant women who were enrolled during their first antenatal care (ANC) visit in Allada, Benin, into a clinical trial comparing the efficacy of mefloquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Venous blood samples of women were assessed for ferritin and hemoglobin concentrations at the first and second ANC visits (occurring at least 1-month apart) and at delivery. Women were prescribed daily iron and folic acid supplements throughout pregnancy. Hematologic examinations were repeated for cord blood at birth. At age 1 year, cognitive and motor functions of children were assessed by using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. RESULTS: The prevalence of prenatal ID at first and second ANC visits, and at delivery was 30.5%, 34.0%, and 28.4%, respectively. CBSF concentrations were similar between ID and non-ID pregnant women. Neither prenatal ID nor CBSF concentration was associated with poor cognitive or gross motor function of children at age 1 year. CBSF concentrations were lower among mothers who had ID anemia (IDA) at delivery compared with non-IDA pregnant women (adjusted mean difference: -0.2 [95% confidence interval: -0.4 to -0.0]). CONCLUSIONS: In a malaria-endemic region, ID in pregnancy in the context of iron supplementation is neither associated with CBSF concentration nor with infant cognitive and motor development. Prenatal IDA around the time of delivery is associated with lower CBSF concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the effects of screening women in healthcare settings for intimate partner violence. Topics addressed include the increased identification of women exposed to intimate partner violence, lack of higher referral rates to support agencies, and absence of evidence that further harm to women is caused by screening. Also mentioned are lack of findings that screening reduces further violence and studies' limited attention to women's health and harm outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Research in high-income countries has repeatedly demonstrated that intimate partner violence (IPV) experienced by women negatively affects the health and behavior of children in their care. However, there is little research on the topic in lower- and middle-income countries. The population-based Asenze Study gathered data on children and their caregivers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This data analysis explores the association of caregiver IPV on child behavior outcomes in children <12 years old and is the first such study in Africa. METHODS: This population-based study was set in 5 Zulu tribal areas characterized by poverty, food insecurity, unemployment, and a high HIV prevalence. The Asenze Study interviewed caregivers via validated measures of IPV, alcohol use, caregiver mental health difficulties, and child behavior disorders in their preschool children. RESULTS: Among the 980 caregivers assessed, 37% had experienced IPV from their current partner. Experience of partner violence (any, physical, or sexual) remained strongly associated with overall child behavior problems (odds ratio range: 2.46-3.10) even after age, HIV status, cohabitation with the partner, alcohol use, and posttraumatic stress disorder were accounted for. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood behavioral difficulties are associated with their caregiver's experience of IPV in this population, even after other expected causes of child behavior difficulties are adjusted for. There is a need to investigate the longer-term impact of caregiver partner violence, particularly sexual IPV, on the health and well-being of vulnerable children in lower- and middle-income countries. Studies should also investigate whether preventing IPV reduces the occurrence of childhood behavior difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]