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Khan MA, Kamal E, Nisar R, Batool S, Faisal I. Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistan: A Phenomenological Study on Parental Understanding and Prevention Strategies for Child Protection. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2024; 33:65-84. [PMID: 38073238 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2023.2293115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is widespread and pervasive in Pakistan, presenting a significant threat to a child's physical health, psychological well-being, and overall development. This study aimed to empirically substantiate the understanding of parents regarding CSA and their utilized preventive strategies. The study utilized Social Ecological Theory to gain a deeper comprehension of the phenomenon. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 parents from Islamabad capital city, using a qualitative phenomenological research approach along with thematic analysis. Results reveal that most of the parents were highly aware of the most common aspects of sexual assault and molestation, but they were unaware of the more manipulative subtle forms such as "grooming." Additionally, they had a limited understanding of the long-term consequences of sexual abuse. While many parents knew about the option of involving the police in cases of abuse, they were unaware of helpline services and the availability of psychological support. In terms of prevention, most parents employed an integrated approach involving various preventive measures, such as educating their children about appropriate and inappropriate touch. These findings underscore the importance of implementing public-focused initiatives and community-based programs to enhance parental awareness, knowledge, and capabilities in preventing CSA in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erass Kamal
- National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Rukham Nisar
- National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Samana Batool
- National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Inbisat Faisal
- National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
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Guo Y, Yang Y, Deveaux L, Dinaj-Koci V, Schieber E, Herbert C, Lee J, Wang B. Exploring effects of multi-level factors on transitions of risk-taking behaviors among middle-to-late adolescents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT 2023; 47:210-220. [PMID: 37746313 PMCID: PMC10516360 DOI: 10.1177/01650254221148117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Adolescents experiment with risk behaviors, including delinquency, substance use, and sexual activity. Multi-level social factors, such as having high-risk peers, neighborhood risks, and parental monitoring, influence adolescents' behaviors. We modeled transition patterns in Bahamian adolescents' risk behaviors across three high school years and examined the effects of multi-level factors. We collected data from 2,564 Bahamian adolescents in Grade 10 and follow-ups through Grade 12. We used latent transition model to identify adolescents' risk statuses. Further analyses used multinomial logistic regression to explore the effects of multi-level factors on assignment to those latent statuses and transitions. We identified four distinct statuses: "low risk" (47.9% of the sample at baseline), "alcohol use" (36.8%), "alcohol use and sexual activity" (5.5%), and "high risk" (9.8%). Males were more likely to be in higher-risk statuses at baseline and to transition from a lower-risk status in Grade 10 to a higher-risk status in Grade 11. Social risk factors were significantly associated with higher-risk statuses at baseline. Neighborhood risk and peer risk involvement continued to affect transitions from lower to higher risk; parental monitoring did not have a significant effect in later years. Our findings have important implications for developing targeted and developmentally appropriate interventions to prevent and reduce risk behaviors among middle-to-late adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Guo
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Yinmei Yang
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lynette Deveaux
- Office of HIV/AIDS, Ministry of Health, Shirley Street, Nassau, The Bahamas
| | | | - Elizabeth Schieber
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Carly Herbert
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - JungAe Lee
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
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Pleaner M, Kutywayo A, Beksinska M, Mabetha K, Naidoo N, Mullick S. Contraception knowledge and uptake among in-school adolescents in three South African townships: Baseline findings from the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) Trial. Gates Open Res 2022; 6:67. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13636.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: South African adolescents experience barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and uptake. This study provides insight into contraceptive and other SRH service knowledge, perceptions, and uptake among adolescents in high HIV prevalence settings. Methods: A baseline cross sectional survey was conducted among 3432 grade 8s enrolled into the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) trial from 26 public high schools across three South African townships (Soweto, Thembisa and Khayelitsha) (2017 - 2018). An interviewer-led survey collected information on SRH knowledge and perceptions; an audio computer-assisted self-interviewing technique gathered SRH service uptake. Descriptive analysis indicates frequency distribution of socio-demographics and knowledge, uptake and perceptions of SRH services. Chi-square test tested for associations between age and sex and selected variables that measure SRH knowledge and uptake. Results: In total, 2383 learners, completed both survey components. Of these, 63.1% (n=1504) were female and 81.4% (n=1938) aged 12-14. Almost a fifth (18.3%, n=436) had ever had sex and less than 1% had accessed SRH services in the last year. Of the 157 females who had ever had sex, 50.9% had ever used contraception. Of those who had sex in the last three months, 59.0% reported using a contraceptive method. Condom use was inconsistent: almost all females said they had not used or could not remember if a condom was used at last sex. Conclusion: This paper contributes to the evidence strengthening learner SRH education, including the national Integrated School Health Programme. Key themes include the need for age-appropriate, differentiated comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for the range of ages found in the same grade in South African schools. Education on different contraceptive methods, informed decision-making, and emergency contraception is key. School-based interventions should embrace integrated HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention messages. Closer links with health services need to be constantly fostered and reinforced.
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Pleaner M, Kutywayo A, Beksinska M, Mabetha K, Naidoo N, Mullick S. Knowledge, uptake and patterns of contraception use among in-school adolescents in three South African townships: Baseline findings from the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) Trial. Gates Open Res 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13636.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: South African adolescents experience barriers to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and uptake. This study provides insight into contraceptive and other SRH service knowledge, perceptions, and uptake among adolescents in high HIV prevalence settings. Methods: A baseline cross sectional survey was conducted among 3432 grade 8’s enrolled into the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) trial from 26 public high schools across three South African townships (Soweto, Thembisa and Khayelitsha) (2017 - 2018). An interviewer-led survey collected information on SRH knowledge and perceptions; an audio computer-assisted self-interviewing technique gathered SRH service uptake. Descriptive analysis indicates frequency distribution of socio-demographics and knowledge, uptake and perceptions of SRH services. Chi-square test tested for associations between age and sex and selected variables that measure SRH knowledge and uptake. Results: In total, 2383 learners, completed both survey components. Of these, 63.1% (n=1504) were female and 81.4% (n=1938) aged 12-14. Almost a fifth (18.3%, n=436) had ever had sex and less than 1% had accessed SRH services in the last year. Of the 157 females who had ever had sex, 50.9% had ever used contraception. Of those who had sex in the last three months, 59.0% reported using a contraceptive method. Condom use was inconsistent: almost all females said they had not used or could not remember if a condom was used at last sex. Conclusion: This paper contributes to the evidence strengthening learner SRH education, including the national Integrated School Health Programme. Key themes include the need for age-appropriate, differentiated comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for the range of ages found in the same grade in South African schools. Education on different contraceptive methods, informed decision-making, and emergency contraception is key. School-based interventions should embrace integrated HIV, STI, and pregnancy prevention messages. Closer links with health services need to be constantly fostered and reinforced.
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González-Cano M, Garrido-Peña F, Gil-Garcia E, Lima-Serrano M, Cano-Caballero MD. Sexual behaviour, human papillomavirus and its vaccine: a qualitative study of adolescents and parents in Andalusia. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1476. [PMID: 34320959 PMCID: PMC8320038 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11510-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and can be prevented by vaccination. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding, by analysing interview responses of adolescents and parents, of how adolescent sexual behaviour is approached in families, how widespread knowledge about HPV is in Andalusia, the autonomous region with the lowest vaccination rate in Spain, as well as to learn more about the interviewees’ position regarding vaccination. Methods A qualitative study by means of 15 focus groups of adolescents (N = 137, aged 14–17 years) and five focus groups of parents with children of those ages (N = 37) was conducted in the provinces of Granada, Seville and Jaén (Andalusia, Spain). The audio data were transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed thematically using NVIVO-10 software. Results There were three major results: (1) There is a lack of communication between adolescents and parents regarding sexual behaviour; (2) In both groups, scarce knowledge about HPV and vaccination was found; (3) Parents mistrust vaccination due to a lack of qualified and verified information about its benefits. Conclusions Healthy adolescent sexual behaviour is aided by communication within the family. Families need more information based on the evidence about HPV and vaccination. Health professionals are a key element in this process. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11510-4.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francisco Garrido-Peña
- Department of Criminal Law, Philosophy of Law, Moral Philosophy and Philosophy, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
| | | | | | - María Dolores Cano-Caballero
- Department of Nursing, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.,Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada, Granada, Spain.,University Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
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Doucette H, Collibee C, Rizzo CJ. A Review of Parent- and Family-based Prevention Efforts for Adolescent Dating Violence. AGGRESSION AND VIOLENT BEHAVIOR 2021; 58:101548. [PMID: 33613079 PMCID: PMC7888980 DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2021.101548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Prevention efforts for adolescent dating violence (ADV) have largely focused on adolescent-based interventions with little emphasis on parent- and family-based interventions, despite the integral role parents serve in adolescent relationship development. This literature review provides an overview of the existing parent- and family-based intervention efforts for ADV. This review highlights that some programs are geared toward a universal audience, whereas others are more targeted towards populations believed to be at greater risk for ADV. Some programs primarily target parents, whereas others integrate parent-based components into primarily adolescent-focused or comprehensive programs. Aspects to consider when selecting a program are discussed, as well as future directions. Suggested future directions involve broadening existing parent- and family-based programming for ADV to include a focus on secondary and tertiary prevention, gender differences, and gender and sexual minorities. This review also highlights the need for existing programs to expand their evaluation of behavioral outcomes and comparison of programs to one another.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charlene Collibee
- The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center, Providence, RI, USA
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Abstract
A mixed method approach explored teens' preferred source of information on sex and reproductive health. Parents' concerns about and perceived barriers to providing reproductive health information to their teens were also explored. Data were gathered from an online survey of 347 teens and three focus groups comprising parents of teens from three Massachusetts communities. Most teens expressed their desire for parents to be one of their primary sources of information (85%). Most parents believed that sexual education should start at home, yet many have not communicated such information. Parents expressed difficulty in staying up-to-date and felt uncomfortable communicating with their teens. Parent perception of supporting factors included a good parent-child relationship and beginning the discussions at a young age. There is a need for culturally sensitive and innovative interventions aimed at creating a safe place for parents to gain knowledge, resources, and strategies to talk to their teens about sex and reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ainat Koren
- a Lowell, Nursing, College of Health Sciences , University of Massachusetts , Lowell , MA , USA
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Stanton B, Dinaj-Koci V, Wang B, Deveaux L, Lunn S, Li X, Rolle G, Brathwaite N, Marshall S, Gomez P. Adolescent HIV Risk Reduction in the Bahamas: Results from Two Randomized Controlled Intervention Trials Spanning Elementary School Through High School. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:1182-96. [PMID: 26499123 PMCID: PMC4842173 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1225-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To address global questions regarding the timing of HIV-prevention efforts targeting youth and the possible additional benefits of parental participation, researchers from the USA and The Bahamas conducted two sequential longitudinal, randomized trials of an evidence-based intervention spanning the adolescent years. The first trial involved 1360 grade-6 students and their parents with three years of follow-up and the second 2564 grade-10 students and their parents with two years of follow-up. Through grade-12, involvement in the combined child and parent-child HIV-risk reduction interventions resulted in increased consistent condom-use, abstinence/protected sex, condom-use skills and parent-child communication about sex. Receipt of the grade-6 HIV-prevention intervention conferred lasting benefits regarding condom-use skills and self-efficacy. Youth who had not received the grade-six intervention experienced significantly greater improvement over baseline as a result of the grade-10 intervention. The HIV-risk reduction intervention delivered in either or both grade-6 and grade-10 conferred sustained benefits; receipt of both interventions appears to confer additional benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonita Stanton
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Veronica Dinaj-Koci
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- IBio (Behavioral Health), 6135 Woodward, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
| | - Bo Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- IBio (Behavioral Health), 6135 Woodward, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA
| | - Lynette Deveaux
- Ministries of Health and of Education, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
| | - Sonja Lunn
- Ministries of Health and of Education, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Glenda Rolle
- Ministries of Health and of Education, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
| | - Nanika Brathwaite
- Ministries of Health and of Education, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
| | - Sharon Marshall
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Prevention Research Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Perez Gomez
- Ministries of Health and of Education, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas
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