scholarly journals Adverse Childhood Experiences and Alcohol Use Consumption Patterns among Vulnerable Urban Youth in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-08
Author(s):  
Monica H Swahn ◽  
Nina K. Babihuga ◽  
Shanta R. Dube ◽  
Rogers Kasirye

Purpose: Youth living in the urban slums in Uganda have many unmet needs. The purpose of the current study is to briefly examine the associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and alcohol use patterns, an understudied area among urban vulnerable youth, in order to provide guidance and insight for service provision for youth. Methods: The current data analysis is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted in June 2011 which consisted of a convenience sample of youth living in the slums (ages 14-24) attending a drop-in center, Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL). Descriptive statistics were computed. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine psychosocial correlates with being an orphan. Results: Factors associated with alcohol use varied by sex (p<.05) (alcohol use was more common among girls), age (p<.000), (alcohol use more common among youth 18 years of age and older) and alcohol use were also more common among youth who reported the following ACEs; parents hitting each other (p<.000) , parental use of alcohol (p<.000), being hungry (p<.000), having ever lived on the street (p<.000) and having been raped (p<.000). Conclusions: The prevalence of ACEs were high in this study population which is a great concern. Moreover ACEs were associated with earlier age of alcohol use initiation, frequent and heavy drinking underscoring the need for additional support for past childhood trauma as well as alcohol prevention efforts for these vulnerable youth.

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802095310
Author(s):  
Kerry A. Lee ◽  
Charlotte Lyn Bright ◽  
Gail Betz

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious social and public health problem in the United States. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and alcohol use have been found to be associated with IPV perpetration; however, limited studies have examined the interrelationships of these variables among Black men. This is the first known study to systematically review and synthesize studies on the interrelationships of ACEs, alcohol use, and IPV perpetration among Black men. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in PubMed and six EBSCOhost databases by a research librarian and two researchers. Twenty studies met inclusion criteria: empirical; available in English; included ACEs, alcohol use/substance abuse, and IPV perpetration variables in the analyses; and samples included Black/African American male IPV perpetrators aged ≥ 18 years. ACEs were found to be associated with IPV perpetration among Black men, but findings were mixed regarding the role of alcohol in relation to ACEs and IPV. Numerous ACE factors (1–6) were used across studies. However, findings regarding the co-occurrence of ACE factors are inconclusive because none of the studies examined the cumulative effects of exposure to more than one type of ACE on subsequent IPV perpetration. Implications for policy, practice, and research related to the interrelationships of ACEs, alcohol use, and IPV perpetration are provided. Future work is needed to better explicate the interrelationships among these constructs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ameel F. Al Shawi ◽  
Yassen T. Sarhan ◽  
Mahasin A. Altaha

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are considered as universal public health problem that associate with mental disorders and risky behaviors during adulthood. The aims of the paper are to estimate the prevalence of Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among young adults in Iraq as well as to estimate the association between ACEs and depression. Methods A convenience sample of young adults of 18–20 years was chosen from centre and west of Iraq, mainly from universities. The adverse childhood experiences were measured by Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire. A depression scale was derived from the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). Statistical tests: chi square was used to measure the association between adverse childhood experiences and other variables like gender and depression. Odds ratios were computed to estimate the risk for depression. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The total number of participants was 401, 38.9% of the subjects were men, while 61.1% were women. The mean age of the participants was 18.88 ± 0.745. The results revealed that the most common forms of ACEs among the subjects were physical neglect (19.8%) and emotional neglect (19.2%) followed by physical abuse (17.21%) while sexual abuse was 7.52%. There was statistically significant association between most forms of adverse childhood experiences especially emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse and physical neglect with depression. Conclusion ACEs are not uncommon among young adults in Iraq and are associated with depression in adulthood. National programmes to support mental health rehabilitation might be necessary to reduce the effect of ACEs among Iraqi people, especially for adolescents and young adults.


2018 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
pp. 92-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma I. Brett ◽  
Hannah C. Espeleta ◽  
Susanna V. Lopez ◽  
Eleanor L.S. Leavens ◽  
Thad R. Leffingwell

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Whitaker ◽  
Tracy Dearth-Wesley ◽  
Allison N. Herman ◽  
Amy E. Block ◽  
Mary Howard Holderness ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and being female are distinct risk factors for having a major depressive episode (MDE) or an anxiety disorder (AD) in adulthood, but it is unclear whether these two risk factors are synergistic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to ACEs and being female are more than additive (synergistic) in their association with MDE and AD in US adults. Methods We pooled cross-sectional survey data in the Midlife in the United States study from two nationally-representative cohorts of English-speaking US adults. Data from the first cohort were collected in 2004–2006 and from the second in 2011–2014. Data from both cohorts included the 12-month prevalence of MDE and AD (generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder) assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form, gender (here termed female and male), and the count of five categories of exposure to ACEs: physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; household alcohol or substance abuse; and parental separation or divorce. Results Of the 5834 survey respondents, 4344 (74.5%) with complete data on ACEs were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) age was 54.1 (13.8) years and 53.9% were female. The prevalences of MDE, AD, and exposure to 3–5 categories of ACEs were 13.7, 10.0, and 12.5%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates (age, race, and current and childhood socioeconomic disadvantage), for those with both risk factors (female and 3–5 ACEs) the prevalence of MDE was 26.9%. This was 10.2% (95% CI: 1.8, 18.5%) higher than the expected prevalence based on the additive associations of the two risk factors. The adjusted prevalence of AD among females with 3–5 ACEs was 21.9%, which was 11.4% (95% CI: 4.0, 18.9%) higher than the expected prevalence. Conclusions For both MDE and AD, there was synergy between the two risk factors of exposure to ACEs and being female. Identification and treatment of MDE and AD may benefit from understanding the mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction of gender with ACEs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 076-083
Author(s):  
Tsehay Mekonnen ◽  
Necho Mogesie ◽  
Belete Asmare ◽  
Mekonnen Werkua

Background: Alcohol and chat use during adolescence is associated with academic and health problems, including abuse or dependence in adulthood. The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and early initiation of alcohol and chat use among school-going adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 546 school-going adolescents. The ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) was used to assess ACEs, Alcohol and chat use was assessed by questions prepared by the authors. Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between overall ACE score and alcohol use and the potential moderating effects of confounders. Results: prevalence of chat chewing behavior was 26.6% followed by alcohol use 20%. A total of 66.2% of participants reported at least one ACE, and 5.93% reported four or more ACEs. High/Multiple ACEs (ACEs=1-3 and above 3) were significantly associated with increased alcohol use behaviors (AOR=1.491(1.072-3.078) and (AOR=3.171(1.330-7.560) respectively and increased chat use behaviors by 4.92 times (AOR=4.92, 95%CI=2.640-8.432) and 11.022 times (AOR=11.022, 95%CI=1.230-25.560) respectively controlling other factors. Conclusion: ACEs were significantly associated with risk behaviors, alcohol and chat use may lead to poor health, and educational outcomes among adolescent students and numbers of ACEs have graded association. Social support, sex, residence, parent educational status, and current level of depressive symptoms were significant modulating factors, which parents, school teachers, psychologists, and adolescent health care providers should give the concern to decrease the effect on school-going adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-41
Author(s):  
M.M. Salawu ◽  
E.T. Owoaje

Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events a child is exposed to early in life. It is a global problem that constitutes a public health concern. However, few studies have been conducted on ACEs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Nigeria. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of ACEs among youths in rural communities in Oyo State, South-west, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 575 youths selected by multistage sampling technique. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on exposure to ACEs; abuse, neglect and household dysfunctions among respondents. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 21.0. Associations were explored with chi-square test and logistics regression analysis. Level of significance was set at 5%.Results: The mean age (SD) of respondents was 26.3 (4.9) years. Three hundred and forty-two (59.5%) respondents were males, 252 (43.8%) had secondary education and 276 (24.5%) were classified into the lowest wealth quintiles. Most respondents 529 (92%) reported they had experienced ACEs. Most prevalent ACEs were psychological neglect 247 (42.9%), physical neglect 236 (41.0%), psychological abuse 231 (40.2%) and household substance abuse 223 (38.8%). The predictors of experiencing ACEs were having a mother with primary education and below (AOR=2.61; CI=1.383.51) and being in the lowest wealth quintile (AOR=1.53 CI=1.24-2.87).Conclusion: Poor education and poverty contributed to the high occurrence of ACEs among youths in rural south-west. Strategic interventions by government/organizations to improve parental education and ameliorate poverty may be beneficial in reducing ACEs and ensure optimal child development. Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Predictors; Youths; Rural; Nigeria


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 395-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail A. Fagan ◽  
Abigail Novak

Research shows that adverse events experienced during childhood (i.e., adverse childhood experiences [ACEs]) are problematic, but few studies have examined race differences in the prevalence and impact of ACEs on delinquency. This study investigated these relationships using prospective data from approximately 600 high-risk families in the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect. Ten ACEs were measured, five types of child maltreatment and five types of household dysfunction. White youth experienced a significantly greater number of ACEs (4.08) compared to Black youth (2.90) and a greater prevalence of seven individual ACEs. According to logistic regression analyses, the number of ACEs significantly increased the likelihood of self-reported alcohol use, marijuana use, violence (in some models), and arrest at age 16 among Blacks but not Whites; race differences were statistically significant for alcohol use, marijuana use, and arrest. The findings support the need for juvenile justice officials to recognize the trauma histories of youth offenders when determining appropriate treatment and sanctions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 741-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Hughes ◽  
Mark A Bellis ◽  
Dinesh Sethi ◽  
Rachel Andrew ◽  
Yongjie Yon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can increase risks of health-harming behaviours and poor health throughout life. While increases in risk may be affected by resilience resources such as supportive childhood relationships, to date few studies have explored these effects. Methods We combined data from cross-sectional ACE studies among young adults (n = 14 661) in educational institutions in 10 European countries. Nine ACE types, childhood relationships and six health outcomes (early alcohol initiation, problem alcohol use, smoking, drug use, therapy, suicide attempt) were explored. Multivariate modelling estimated relationships between ACE counts, supportive childhood relationships and health outcomes. Results Almost half (46.2%) of participants reported ≥1 ACE and 5.6% reported ≥4 ACEs. Risks of all outcomes increased with ACE count. In individuals with ≥4 ACEs (vs. 0 ACEs), adjusted odds ratios ranged from 2.01 (95% CIs: 1.70–2.38) for smoking to 17.68 (95% CIs: 12.93–24.17) for suicide attempt. Supportive childhood relationships were independently associated with moderating risks of smoking, problem alcohol use, therapy and suicide attempt. In those with ≥4 ACEs, adjusted proportions reporting suicide attempt reduced from 23% with low supportive childhood relationships to 13% with higher support. Equivalent reductions were 25% to 20% for therapy, 23% to 17% for problem drinking and 34% to 32% for smoking. Conclusions ACEs are strongly associated with substance use and mental illness. Harmful relationships are moderated by resilience factors such as supportive childhood relationships. Whilst ACEs continue to affect many children, better prevention measures and interventions that enhance resilience to the life-long impacts of toxic childhood stress are required.


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