Neighborhood-Level Factors and Youth Violence: Giving Voice to the Perceptions of Prominent Neighborhood Individuals

Youth violence is a significant public health problem. Although the relationship between neighborhood-level factors and urban youth violence is recognized, the specific mechanisms of this relationship are often unclear. Prominent neighborhood individuals were identified within four select low-income urban neighborhoods in Baltimore City. In-depth interviews were conducted to explore these individuals' perceptions of the relationship between social and structural neighborhood-level factors and urban youth violence. Employment opportunities, local businesses, trash management, vacant housing, and street lighting were perceived as important neighborhood factors influencing young people's experiences. The relationship between these neighborhood characteristics and the local illicit drug market and youth violence is highlighted. Results provide an enhanced understanding of the importance of using a participatory-based research approach and the mechanisms of the relationship between neighborhood-level factors and youth violence. Both are critical components in designing and implementing multilevel youth violence prevention efforts.

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Obesity and inflammatory skin diseases

Trends in Immunotherapy ◽

10.24294/ti.v3.i1.98 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 50

Author(s):

Satoshi Nakamizo ◽

Tetsuya Honda ◽

Kenji Kabashima

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Inflammatory Skin Diseases ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Inflammatory Skin ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

The Relationship

Obesity has become a significant public health problem since it may cause many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, and some cancers. Recent studies have shown that obesity is a major risk factor for the development of inflammatory skin diseases, including eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Inflammatory cytokines produced from adipose tissue and activation of innate immunity are considered as important factors in obesity-induced inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which obesity affects the development of inflammatory skin diseases are not well understood. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between the underlying mechanisms linking obesity and inflammatory skin diseases based on the latest researches.

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Does Adolescent Free Time Matter? Exploring the Association Between Adolescent Leisure Activities and Dating Violence Perpetration

Urban Social Work ◽

10.1891/usw-d-20-00006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 28-42

Author(s):

Dione Moultrie King ◽

Catheryn A. Orihuela ◽

Sylvie Mrug ◽

Maria Martino

Keyword(s):

Dating Violence ◽

Urban Youth ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Youth Violence ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Developmental Period ◽

Dating Relationships ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Violence Perpetration ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveAdolescence is a developmental period characterized by independent leisure activities and increased interest in intimate dating relationships. Despite focused examinations on dating violence (DV), research has not yet explored connections between leisure activities and DV.MethodsThis exploratory study uses Birmingham Youth Violence Survey (BYVS) Wave 3 data to elucidate the relationship between leisure activities and DV perpetration among urban youth aged 16–23 (N = 497, Mage = 17.64, 52% female, 81.3% Black, 18.7% White).ResultsFindings support the relationship between specific types of leisure activities and DV perpetration.ConclusionPractitioners, researchers, and policy makers with a vested interest in adolescent health should pay attention to specific leisure activities (e.g., social, sports, and media) given their associations to DV perpetration.

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Relationship between housing finance institutional contexts and financial contexts to housing ownership by low-income earners in Bauchi LGA, Nigeria

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis ◽

10.1108/ijhma-03-2021-0032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Moses Jonathan Gambo ◽

Sani Usman Kunya ◽

Bala Ishiyaku ◽

Musa Jacob Ashen ◽

Wilfred Emmanuel Dzasu

Keyword(s):

Local Government ◽

Low Income ◽

Quantitative Research ◽

Local Government Area ◽

Housing Finance ◽

Research Approach ◽

Content Type ◽

Sustainable Housing ◽

Institutional Contexts ◽

The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between housing finance institutional related variables and financial related variables of low-income earners in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach In this study, quantitative research approach was adopted. Self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 500 primary school teachers in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi, Nigeria. A correlation analysis was carried out to find the relationship between housing finance institutional contexts and finance contexts to low-income earners in the study area using SPSS Version 23 software. Findings The findings shows that the low-income earners were more concerned with the accessibility and affordability on housing ownership, and it also showed that performance and effectiveness of the housing finance institutions were of paramount importance to housing ownership for the low-income earners in the study area. Practical implications The finance institutions are the prime consumer of these research findings. The participants in the finance institutions are going to benefit from the low-income earners’ housing ownership development. Originality/value The paper also emphasized that the finance institutions should make the housing finance loan accessible and affordable to the low-income earners to meet their dream to sustainable housing ownership.

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Does a Brief Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training Program Enhance Observed Skills?

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000014 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 149-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Wendi Cross ◽

Monica M. Matthieu ◽

DeQuincy Lezine ◽

Kerry L. Knox

Keyword(s):

Public Health Problem ◽

Skills Assessment ◽

Community Members ◽

Gatekeeper Training ◽

Knowledge And Attitudes ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Actual Use ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Background: Suicide is a significant public health problem worldwide that requires evidence-based prevention efforts. One approach to prevention is gatekeeper training. Gatekeeper training programs for community members have demonstrated positive changes in knowledge and attitudes about suicide. Changes in gatekeeper skills have not been well established. Aims: To assess and to predict the impact of a brief, gatekeeper training on community members’ observed skills. Methods: Participants in a community gatekeeper training were employees at US universities. 50 participants were randomly selected for skills assessment and videotaped interacting with a standardized actor prior to and following training. Tapes were reliably rated for general and suicide-specific skills. Results: Gatekeeper skills increased from pre- to posttest: 10% of participants met criteria for acceptable gatekeeper skills before training, while 54% met criteria after training. Pretraining variables did not predict increased skills. Limitations: Results do not provide conclusions about the relationship between observed gatekeeper skills and actual use of those skills in the future. Conclusions: Gatekeeper training enhances suicide-specific skills for the majority of participants. Other strategies, such as behavioral rehearsal, may be necessary to enhance skills in the remaining participants.

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Drug use and antisocial behavior among adolescents attending public schools in Brazil

Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy ◽

10.1590/s2237-60892012000200006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 80-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Fernanda Lüdke Nardi ◽

Silvia Mendes da Cunha ◽

Lisiane Bizarro ◽

Débora Dalbosco Dell'Aglio

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Public Schools ◽

Drug Use ◽

Antisocial Behavior ◽

Low Income ◽

Drug Users ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Antisocial Behaviors ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

The Relationship

INTRODUCTION: Drug use is a social and a public health problem that has been related with antisocial behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between drug use and antisocial behavior among adolescents attending public schools in Brazil. METHOD: A total of 7,176 adolescents from low-income neighborhoods and public schools aged 14 to 19 years were assessed in five geographical regions in Brazil. Data on biosociodemographic characteristics and on drug use and antisocial behavior were assessed from complete answers to a national survey on risk and protective factors among adolescents. RESULTS: Over 80% of the adolescents who used alcohol and cigarettes were between 14 and 17 years old. The percentage of participants with antisocial behaviors was significantly higher among users of marijuana, cocaine, or crack than among adolescents who were not drug users. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention programs aimed at reducing substance use might help to decrease antisocial behaviors.

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Efficacy of Different Doses of Multiple Micronutrient Powder on Haemoglobin Concentration in Children Aged 6–59 Months in Arusha District

Scientifica ◽

10.1155/2019/8979456 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Dyness Kejo ◽

Pammla Petrucka ◽

Haikael Martin ◽

Theobald C. E. Mosha ◽

Martin E. Kimanya

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Haemoglobin Concentration ◽

Test Group ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Micronutrient Powder ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Multiple Micronutrient ◽

Intent To Treat ◽

Multiple Micronutrient Powder ◽

Post Hoc

In Tanzania’s Arusha District, anaemia is a significant public health problem. Recently, home fortification with multiple micronutrient powder was recommended, and daily use of one sachet has shown to be effective. However, it is a challenge for deprived families with low income to afford the daily sachet. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different administration frequencies of micronutrient powder in reducing anaemia in children aged 6–59 months. This research used a community-based, randomized longitudinal trial design with the intent to treat anaemia. Children aged 6 to 59 months (n=369) were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups which received, on a weekly basis, either five sachets (n=60), three sachets (n=80), two sachets (n=105), or one sachet (n=124) for six months; 310 children completed the study. Using the HemoCue technique, a finger-prick blood was taken at baseline, middle, and end points of the intervention to determine haemoglobin levels. The effect of treatment on haemoglobin was assessed with analysis of covariates with Bonferroni post hoc to test group difference (p>0.05) from each other. At the end, haemoglobin levels were significantly higher in participants who received three or five sachets of micronutrient powder per week compared to those who received one or two micronutrient powder sachets per week (p<0.05). The prevalence of illnesses was reduced from 65% to 30.5% in all groups. This finding indicates that economically challenged families may opt for three times per week sachet administration rather than a more costly daily administration. This trial is registered with PACTR201607001693286.

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Mortgage Default Behaviour in South Africa’s Low Income Homeowners Relates to Banks Borrower Education Programmes

International Journal of Finance & Banking Studies (2147-4486) ◽

10.20525/ijfbs.v2i2.150 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 66-75

Author(s):

Viyusani Moss

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Banking Sector ◽

Research Approach ◽

Suitable Model ◽

Mortgage Default ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Analyse Data ◽

High Level ◽

The Relationship

In investigating the non-payment phenomenon in South Africa’s low income households, a case study of Protea Glenx the researcher employed quantitative tools and qualitative methods. The rationale was prompted by high level of evictions and repossessions for non-payment of mortgages in the Protea Glen area in Johannesburg South Africa. The research approach was to measure and draw sample size from the units of population, conduct interviews and captureand analyse data through the use of SPSS as a suitable statistical instrument. Furthermore, the aim was to employ a suitable model for measuring the relationship between dependent and independent variables and also to highlight the limitations of the study. The findings of the study revealed several interesting empirical results that underpinning the importance of borrower education for mortgage account holders and the need by the banking sector to properly empower borrowers about credit behaviour, responsibilities and obligations of owning a property plus the ongoing costs of ownership.

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Obesity and inflammatory skin diseases

Trends in Immunotherapy ◽

10.24294/ti.v1.i2.98 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Satoshi Nakamizo ◽

Tetsuya Honda ◽

Kenji Kabashima

Keyword(s):

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Inflammatory Skin Diseases ◽

Significant Public Health Problem ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Inflammatory Skin ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

The Relationship

Obesity has become a significant public health problem since it may cause many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, and some cancers. Recent studies have shown that obesity is a major risk factor for the development of inflammatory skin diseases, including eczema, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Inflammatory cytokines produced from adipose tissue and activation of innate immunity are considered as important factors in obesity-induced inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which obesity affects the development of inflammatory skin diseases are not well understood. In this review, we will discuss the relationship between and the underlying mechanisms linkingobesity and inflammatory skin diseases based on the latest researches.

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Love and Betrayal: The Political Economy of Youth Violence in Post-War Sierra Leone

The Journal of Modern African Studies ◽

10.1017/s0022278x15000762 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 637-660 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Luisa Enria

Keyword(s):

Labour Market ◽

Urban Youth ◽

Youth Violence ◽

Youth Unemployment ◽

Security Risk ◽

Post Conflict ◽

Political Networks ◽

Cast Doubt ◽

Post War ◽

The Relationship

ABSTRACTYouth unemployment is often presented as a security risk in post-conflict countries, yet the relationship between labour market exclusion and engagement in violence remains little understood. This paper opens up one aspect of this relationship, analysing how the employment aspirations of Sierra Leone's marginal youth relate to their decisions to take part in political unrest. Telling the stories of urban youth involved to varying degrees in violent episodes shows how violence is used as a tactic to signal loyalty to political strongmen. Such loyalty is hoped to result in the establishment of relations of reciprocity that will offer a road to socially valued employment. Comparing the experiences of two groups of young people, similar in their socio-economic background and experience of violence but different in their collocation in political networks, reveals two things. Firstly, availability for violence was insufficient to achieve durable incorporation, as pre-existing social ties determined the nature of recruitment. Secondly, as even those embedded in politicians’ networks of reciprocity appeared ultimately unable to escape marginality, their experiences cast doubt on the expediency of using violence as a way into the labour market, making the exploitative nature of these relations starkly evident.

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