Child and adolescent psychiatry in the Far East: A 5-year follow up on the Consortium on Academic Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Far East (CACAP-FE) study.

AIM: Data pertaining to child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) training systems are limited as extant research has mostly been derived from one-time data collection. This 5-year follow-up survey collects updated information on CAP training systems in the Far East, allowing for the tracking of system changes over the past 5 years. METHODS: Data were obtained from 18 countries, or functionally self-governing areas, in the Far East, 17 of which were also included in the original study. An online questionnaire was completed by leading CAP professionals in each country. Questions were expanded in the present study to capture the contents of CAP training. RESULTS: When compared to data from the original study, there has been progress in CAP training systems in the last 5 years. Specifically, there has been an increase in the number of countries with CAP training programs and national guidelines for the training. In addition, the number of CAP departments/divisions affiliated with academic institutions/universities has increased. Findings from 12 of 18 countries in the present study provide data on clinical contents. All informants of the present study reported the need for more child and adolescent psychiatrists and allied professionals. CONCLUSION: Despite progress in CAP training systems over the last 5 years, the need for more professionals in child and adolescent mental health care in all the relevant areas in this region have yet to be adequately addressed. Continued national efforts and international collaborations are imperative to developing and sustaining new CAP training systems while facilitating improvements in existing programs.

Assessing disaster preparedness and mental health of community members in Aceh, Indonesia: a community-based, descriptive household survey of a national program.

INTRODUCTON: Disaster preparedness of the community is an essential disaster-mitigation strategy to protect human life and to prevent injuries and property damage. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of disaster, and the disaster preparedness of community members in Aceh, Indonesia. METHODS: A community-based descriptive household survey was conducted in 40 villages of three tsunami-affected districts in Aceh State, Indonesia. In total, 827 randomly selected community members were interviewed with structured questionnaires during the period September-October 2014. RESULTS: About 57.6% of community members had good knowledge of disaster, while 26.0% had good community disaster preparedness. Neither knowledge of disaster nor disaster preparedness of community members achieved the target of the Community Mental Health Nurse Program outcome indicators (<70.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The proportions of people with good knowledge of disaster and disaster preparedness were quite low. The government of Aceh State should revitalize the program to improve the effectiveness of community mental health nurses in transferring the knowledge of disasters and disaster preparedness to the community's members, then expand it to other provinces of Indonesia, using standard approaches and the lessons learned from Aceh.

Predicting factors for risk of depression in adolescents with learning disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To study the predicting factors for risk of depression in adolescents with learning disorders. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred adolescent patients with learning disorders between 10 and 19 years of age were included in this study. The data were collected by using four questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson s product moment correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression technique. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 77 males (77%) and 23 females (23%) with a mean age of 13.25 (SD = 2.49). Most of the samples (42%) were in secondary elementary school. The subtype found most was specific spelling disorder (76%), and the comorbidity found most was Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (81%). The self-esteem predicted 23% of the variation in risk of depression. The power of prediction was increased to 27% and 32% respectively when gender and family functioning was added respectively. However the comorbidity could not predict risk of depression. CONCLUSION: Development of an intervention program to reduce the risk of depression in adolescents with learning disorders is recommended This program should be aimed to increase self-esteem, focus on the concern with gender differences, and strengthen family functioning.

Consequences and associated factors of youth gambling.

OBJECTIVE: To examine gambling behaviors, consequences and its associated factors among Thai youths. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional survey of 1,694 students from Matthayom 1 (grade 7) to university undergraduate level was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Questionnaire items consisted of socio-economic characteristics, health behaviors, attitudes towards gambling and consequences of gambling. Factors associated with gambling experience were identified by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of youth gambling was reported. Gamblers had higher proportion of males, studying in vocational schools and lower GPA and history of smoking and alcohol consumption. Card games were the most common type of gambling, followed by football-betting. Approximately 10% of the gamblers potentially had pathological gambling. Factors positively associated with gambling included having friends (adjusted OR = 4.82) and relatives (adjusted OR = 2.48) who gambled. Having a GPA > or = 3.0 was negatively associated with gambling (adjusted OR = 0.58). The present study reported negative consequences of gambling including feeling of guilt, perception of poorer health and depression or insomnia after losing. CONCLUSION: Gambling prevention program should be developed and focused on student with poor study performance and wrecked relationships in family. Also, a surveillance system for health risk behaviors among youth in school and community should be established by the participation of multiple organizations.

The effectiveness of a program designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents of the Rajavithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of group activities designed to enhance the self-esteem of female adolescents aged 12-18 years old of the Rajvithi Home for Girls, Bangkok, (experimental group) and the Saraburi Home for Girls, Saraburi, (comparison group). MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was quasi-experimental research. Each group was comprised of 36 adolescents. The experimental group participated in numerous activities designed to improve their self-esteem. The activities were conducted over 4 sessions of 2-3 hours duration per session. The self-esteem assessments were conducted before, immediately after the intervention, and 4 weeks henceforth, using the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory School Form (CSEI). RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, neither group showed any difference in its general characteristics including its self- esteem mean scores. Immediately after the intervention and, 4 weeks later, the experimental group had significantly higher self-esteem mean scores than they had prior to intervention (p < 0.001). However the comparison group showed no difference in self-esteem mean scores at both time periods of the post intervention period (p > 0.05). It was also found that the experimental group's self-esteem mean scores were significantly higher than the comparison group's, (p < 0.05) both immediately after the intervention as well as 4 weeks henceforth. The self-esteem mean score at the 4 week post intervention stage remained higher than it was after the intervention, even though there was slight decrease with significant difference (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The research results indicate that the self-esteem level among adolescents could be developed, especially amongst those adolescents in foster homes. Thus related organizations should conduct self-esteem enhancing activities for adolescents in order to strengthen necessary life skills including spiritual health, which are the prerequisites for success in later life.