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Tenkorang EY. Physical, sexual, and psychosocial health impacts of child abuse: Evidence from Ghana. Adv Life Course Res 2023; 57:100559. [PMID: 38054860 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2023.100559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Child abuse is a significant global health problem. While data on child abuse in Ghana are scant, anecdotal evidence suggests the vast majority of Ghanaian children have experienced some form of physical or sexual abuse. This paper explores links between early childhood abuse and health outcomes using a life course perspective. Nationally representative cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of 2289 ever-married Ghanaian women in 2017. Women provided retrospective accounts of different types of violence in early childhood. Random-effects logit models were used to examine the impact of two dimensions of early childhood abuse (physical and sexual) on the physical, sexual, and psychosocial health outcomes of women in later years. Women who experienced childhood physical abuse, but not often, were significantly more likely to report physical disabilities in later years than women who did not experience it. Women reporting childhood sexual abuse were more likely to be depressed in later years than those who never experienced such abuse. They were also significantly more likely to report sexually transmitted diseases. Our findings provide support for the life course theory by showing abuse experienced in childhood could have a long-term impact. We therefore suggest the need for early interventions to address child abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Y Tenkorang
- Department of Sociology, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1C 5S7, Canada.
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Parlak S, Çamaş GG. Reflections of Childhood Violence on Maternity in Turkey. J Child Adolesc Trauma 2022; 15:261-273. [PMID: 35600524 PMCID: PMC9120307 DOI: 10.1007/s40653-021-00360-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the effects of paternal violence experiences of women on their own mothering attitudes and on their relationships with their mothers. The study employed the interpretive phenomenology design. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were used. The study group consisted of four women selected according to the criterion sampling method. The results were grouped under three headings: "perceptions about the mother's attitudes towards the violence perpetrated by the father," "attitudes towards children," and "relationships with the mother." The present study shows the effects of intergenerational transmission of violence on women's lives. The obtained results are expected to contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions for women exposed to domestic violence in childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simel Parlak
- Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Faculty of Education, Okan University, Tuzla Campus, 34722, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Güliz Gülçin Çamaş
- Social Psychologist, Zeytinburnu District Health Directorate, Istanbul, Turkey
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Abstract
Exposure to interpersonal violence during childhood, a severe and often traumatic form of social stress, is an enduring problem that an emerging body of work suggests may be relevant to cardiometabolic health and the progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) across the life course. Less is known about this association causally, and consequently, the biological mechanisms that may confer risk for, and resilience to, poor health outcomes in the aftermath of violence are not well understood. Drawing on recent theoretical insights and empirical research in both humans and non-human animal models, the current paper articulates a hypothesis for one way that childhood violence could get "under the skin" to influence CVD. Based on this emerging literature, one plausible way that childhood violence exposure could increase susceptibility to CVD in later life is by sensitizing stress-response neurobiology and immune processes that regulate and promote inflammation, which is a key pathogenic mechanism in CVD. This is inherently a developmental process that begins in early life and that unfolds across the life course, although less is known about the specific mechanisms through which this occurs. The goal of this paper is to articulate some of these plausible mechanisms and to suggest areas for future research that aims to reduce the burden of disease among individuals who are exposed to violence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric D Finegood
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
| | - Gregory E Miller
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
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Huber-Krum S, Miedema SS, Shortt JW, Villaveces A, Kress H. Associations between adverse childhood experiences and contraceptive use among young adults in Honduras. Child Abuse Negl 2022; 123:105381. [PMID: 34753054 PMCID: PMC9511159 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and use of modern contraception is limited in Honduras. The government has made substantial gains in promoting modern contraception. Young adults experience high rates of violence. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ACEs and contraceptive behaviors among young women and men. METHODS We used data from 810 women and 753 men aged 18-24 years from the 2017 Honduras Violence against Children Survey, a cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey of childhood adversity. We assessed associations between ACEs and three contraceptive use outcomes: use versus nonuse of modern contraceptives; use of methods requiring medium/high or low programmatic support among current contraceptive users; and frequent versus infrequent condom use. FINDINGS Exposure to physical or emotional abuse and witnessing violence in the home was not significantly associated with the three contraceptive use outcomes for men or women. Sexual abuse and parental separation reduced odds of contraceptive use among women (Odds Ratio (OR) < 0.60) but not among men. In contrast, orphan status increased odds of modern contraception use among men (OR 1.93) and frequent condom use among women (OR 2.22). CONCLUSION The inconsistent direction and magnitude of associations between ACEs and modern contraceptive use among young men and women suggests divergent relationships between ACEs and sexual and reproductive health behaviors. Results may highlight the strength of norms around contraceptive use and/or widespread access to community-based family planning programs and comprehensive sexuality education, irrespective of exposure to ACEs in Honduras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Huber-Krum
- Research and Evaluation Branch, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Stephanie Spaid Miedema
- Research and Evaluation Branch, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joann Wu Shortt
- Research and Evaluation Branch, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrés Villaveces
- Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Howard Kress
- Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Abstract
This article documents the increasing numbers of children impacted annually by 1 or more types of violence against children and describes the range of types of injuries and their immediate and long-term impacts on child outcomes. The article describes the growing number of international collaborations to decrease the numbers of children impacted by violence and to mitigate the consequences thereof, with a particular emphasis on children living in war zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonita Stanton
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, 340 Kingsland Street, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
| | - Brittney Davis
- New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Danielle Laraque-Arena
- New York Academy of Medicine, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, SUNY Upstate Medical University, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Nguyen KH, Padilla M, Villaveces A, Patel P, Atuchukwu V, Onotu D, Apondi R, Aluzimbi G, Chipimo P, Kancheya N, Kress H. Coerced and forced sexual initiation and its association with negative health outcomes among youth: Results from the Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia Violence Against Children Surveys. Child Abuse Negl 2019; 96:104074. [PMID: 31445403 PMCID: PMC6760991 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Coerced and forced sexual initiation (FSI) can have detrimental effects on children and youth. Understanding health outcomes that are associated with experiences of FSI is important for developing appropriate strategies for prevention and treatment of FSI and its consequences. METHODS The Violence Against Children Surveys were conducted in Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia in 2014 and 2015. We examined the prevalence of FSI and its consequences (sexual high-risk behaviors, violence experiences, mental health outcomes, and sexually transmitted infections (STI)) associated with FSI among youth aged 13-24 years in three countries in sub-Saharan Africa. RESULTS Over one in ten youth aged 13-24 years who had ever had sex experienced FSI in Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia. In multivariable logistic regression, FSI was significantly associated with infrequent condom use (OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.1-2.1), recent experiences of sexual violence (OR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.3), physical violence (OR = 2.2, 95%CI: 1.6-3.0), and emotional violence (OR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.3-2.9), moderate/serious mental distress (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.1-2.0), hurting oneself (OR = 2.0, 95%CI: 1.3-3.1), and thoughts of suicide (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.1-2.3), after controlling for demographic characteristics. FSI was not statistically associated with engaging in transactional sex, having multiple sex partners, or having a STI. CONCLUSION FSI is associated with infrequent condom use, recent experiences of violence and mental health outcomes among youth in sub-Saharan Africa, which may increase the risk for HIV and other consequences. Developing strategies for prevention is important for reducing the prevalence of FSI and its effects on children and youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly H Nguyen
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Mabel Padilla
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Andrés Villaveces
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pragna Patel
- Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Victor Atuchukwu
- Nigeria Country Office, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Dennis Onotu
- Nigeria Country Office, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Rose Apondi
- Uganda Country Office, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - George Aluzimbi
- Uganda Country Office, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Chipimo
- Zambia Country Office, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lukasa, Zambia
| | - Nzali Kancheya
- Zambia Country Office, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lukasa, Zambia
| | - Howard Kress
- Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Eriksen AMA, Hansen KL, Schei B, Sørlie T, Stigum H, Bjertness E, Javo C. Childhood violence and mental health among indigenous Sami and non-Sami populations in Norway: a SAMINOR 2 questionnaire study. Int J Circumpolar Health 2019; 77:1508320. [PMID: 30112962 PMCID: PMC6104612 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2018.1508320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The main objectives of this study were to investigate the association between childhood violence and psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTS) among Sami and non-Sami adults, and to explore a possible mediating effect of childhood violence on any ethnic differences in mental health. This study is part of a larger questionnaire survey on health and living conditions in Mid- and Northern Norway (SAMINOR 2) which included 2116 Sami and 8674 non-Sami participants. A positive association between childhood violence and psychological distress and PTS in adulthood was found regardless of ethnicity. For women, childhood violence may have mediated some of the ethnic differences in psychological distress (53.2%) and PTS (31.4%). A similar pattern was found for men as to psychological distress (45.5%) and PTS (55.5%). The prevalence of psychological distress was significantly higher in the Sami than in the non-Sami group: 15.8% vs. 13.0% for women, and 11.4% vs. 8.0% for men. Likewise, PTS showed a higher prevalence in the Sami group, both for women (16.2% vs. 12.4%) and for men (12.2% vs. 9.1). CONCLUSION A positive association between childhood violence and adult mental distress was found for both Sami and Norwegian adults. More mental problems were found among the Sami. Childhood violence may have mediated some of the ethnic differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid M A Eriksen
- a Sami National Centre for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SANKS) Finnmarkssykehuset HF , Karasjok , Norway.,b Centre for Sami Health Research , UiT, The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsoe , Norway.,c Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet , Oslo Metropolitan University , Oslo , Norway
| | - Ketil Lenert Hansen
- d Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare North (RKBU Nord) , UiT The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsoe , Norway
| | - Berit Schei
- e Department of Public Health , NTNU , Trondheim , Norway.,f Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , St.Olav`s Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital , Trondheim , Norway
| | - Tore Sørlie
- g Department of Clinical Medicine , University of Tromsoe - The Arctic University of Norway , Tromsø , Norway.,h Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse , University Hospital of North Norway , Tromsoe , Norway
| | - Hein Stigum
- i Institute of Health and Society, Department of Community Medicine , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
| | - Espen Bjertness
- i Institute of Health and Society, Department of Community Medicine , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
| | - Cecilie Javo
- a Sami National Centre for Mental Health and Substance Abuse (SANKS) Finnmarkssykehuset HF , Karasjok , Norway
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Lam S, Zwart C, Chahal I, Lane D, Cummings H. Preventing violence against children in schools: Contributions from the Be Safe program in Sri Lanka. Child Abuse Negl 2018; 76:129-137. [PMID: 29101833 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Violence against children is a global public health issue with serious social, economic, physical, and emotional impacts. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a school-based program aimed to prevent and respond to physical, sexual, and psychological violence against children in Sri Lanka from the perspective of parents. A cross-sectional retrospective study design was used. A total of 835 parents of children who participated in the program were surveyed across seven districts in Sri Lanka. Dose-response analyses were conducted to assess for correlations between program exposure and perceived prevention of violence against children. Low to moderate correlations were found between exposure to the program and perceived child safety in schools, school policies, and in the community. The findings provide preliminary evidence of program effectiveness; however, more efforts are needed to validate and sustain outcomes. Implications for future violence prevention programming, along with the use of dose-response evaluations, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Lam
- Harry Cummings and Associates, 96 Kathleen St, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Christine Zwart
- Harry Cummings and Associates, 96 Kathleen St, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Inem Chahal
- Harry Cummings and Associates, 96 Kathleen St, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Lane
- Harry Cummings and Associates, 96 Kathleen St, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry Cummings
- Harry Cummings and Associates, 96 Kathleen St, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Wandera SO, Clarke K, Knight L, Allen E, Walakira E, Namy S, Naker D, Devries K. Violence against children perpetrated by peers: A cross-sectional school-based survey in Uganda. Child Abuse Negl 2017; 68:65-73. [PMID: 28414938 PMCID: PMC5458732 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Violence against children by peers is a global public health problem. We aimed to assess factors associated with peer violence victimization among primary school children in Uganda. We conducted multilevel multivariable logistic regression analyses of cross-sectional data from 3706 primary students in 42 Ugandan primary schools. Among primary school students, 29% and 34% had ever experienced physical and emotional violence perpetrated by their peers, respectively. Factors strongly associated with both physical and emotional violence were similar and overlapping, and included exposure to interparental violence, having an attitude supportive of violence against children from school staff, not living with biological parents, working for payment, and higher SDQ score. However, we found that younger age, sharing sleeping area with an adult and achieving a higher educational performance score, were specifically associated with physical violence. On the other hand, being female, walking to school, reporting disability and eating one meal on the previous day, were particularly associated with emotional violence. Interventions to reduce peer violence should focus on family contexts, school environments and those with poor socio-economic status may need extra support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Ojiambo Wandera
- Department of Population Studies, School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Demography and Population Studies, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Kelly Clarke
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Louise Knight
- Department of Global Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK.
| | | | - Eddy Walakira
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | | | - Karen Devries
- Department of Global Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK.
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Abstract
Violence in childhood is a serious health, social and human rights concern globally, there is, however, little understanding about the factors that explain the various forms of violence in childhood. This paper uses data on childhood violence for 10,042 individuals from four countries. We report Odds Ratios from pooled logit regression analysis with country fixed effects model. There is no gender difference in the overall incidence of childhood violence. The data shows that 78% of girls and 79% of boys have suffered some form of violence before the age of 18 years. Odds of violence are higher among richer households, among individuals who have attended school and among individuals who have been married or in marriage-like arrangements. Individuals who justify wife beating have significantly higher likelihood of having faced violence themselves. Most perpetrators of violence against children - physical, emotional and sexual - are people known to them in their homes and community, and not strangers. There is limited understanding of the factors that explain violence in childhood. This study highlights some key factors that can explain this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamika Ravi
- a Development Economics , Brookings India , New Delhi.,b Governance Studies Program , Brookings Institution , Washington , DC , USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore patterns of physical, emotional and sexual violence against Ugandan children. DESIGN Latent class and multinomial logistic regression analysis of cross-sectional data. SETTING Luwero District, Uganda. PARTICIPANTS In all, 3706 primary 5, 6 and 7 students attending 42 primary schools. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE To measure violence, we used the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse Screening Tool-Child Institutional. We used the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire to assess mental health and administered reading, spelling and maths tests. RESULTS We identified three violence classes. Class 1 (N=696 18.8%) was characterised by emotional and physical violence by parents and relatives, and sexual and emotional abuse by boyfriends, girlfriends and unrelated adults outside school. Class 2 (N=975 26.3%) was characterised by physical, emotional and sexual violence by peers (male and female students). Children in Classes 1 and 2 also had a high probability of exposure to emotional and physical violence by school staff. Class 3 (N=2035 54.9%) was characterised by physical violence by school staff and a lower probability of all other forms of violence compared to Classes 1 and 2. Children in Classes 1 and 2 were more likely to have worked for money (Class 1 Relative Risk Ratio 1.97, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.51; Class 2 1.55, 1.29 to 1.86), been absent from school in the previous week (Class 1 1.31, 1.02 to 1.67; Class 2 1.34, 1.10 to 1.63) and to have more mental health difficulties (Class 1 1.09, 1.07 to 1.11; Class 2 1.11, 1.09 to 1.13) compared to children in Class 3. Female sex (3.44, 2.48 to 4.78) and number of children sharing a sleeping area predicted being in Class 1. CONCLUSIONS Childhood violence in Uganda forms distinct patterns, clustered by perpetrator and setting. Research is needed to understand experiences of victimised children, and to develop mental health interventions for those with severe violence exposures. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01678846; Results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Clarke
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Louise Knight
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Karen Devries
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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