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Objective: To investigate the relationship between prenatal geophagy, maternal prenatal haematological indices, malaria, helminth infections and cognitive and motor development among offspring.Methods: At least a year after delivery, 552 of 863 HIV-negative mothers with singleton births who completed a clinical trial comparing the efficacy of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and mefloquine during pregnancy in Allada, Benin, responded to a nutrition questionnaire including their geophagous habits during pregnancy. During the clinical trial, helminth infection, malaria, haemoglobin and ferritin concentrations were assessed at 1st and 2nd antenatal care visits (ANV) and at delivery. After the first ANV, women were administered daily iron and folic acid supplements until three what? post-delivery. Singleton children were assessed for cognitive function at age 1 year using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.Results: The prevalence of geophagy during pregnancy was 31.9%. Pregnant women reporting geophagy were more likely to be anaemic (AOR = 1.9, 95% CI [1.1, 3.4]) at their first ANV if they reported geophagy at the first trimester. Overall, prenatal geophagy was not associated with maternal haematological indices, malaria or helminth infections, but geophagy during the third trimester and throughout pregnancy was associated with poor motor function (AOR = -3.8, 95% CI [-6.9, -0.6]) and increased odds of geophagous behaviour in early childhood, respectively.Conclusions: Prenatal geophagy is not associated with haematological indices in the presence of micronutrient supplementation. However, it may be associated with poor child motor function and infant geophagy. Geophagy should be screened early in pregnancy. [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]

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]