Recantation of Sexual Abuse Disclosure Among Child Victims: Accommodation Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Disclosing the sexual abuse may be related on many individual and/or environmental factors in all age groups. The sociocultural context is the most influential factor of the disclosing process especially for those living in patriarchal cultural values. This study compares the impacts of sexual abuse and other sociodemographic variables between recanting and non-recanting victimized groups in Adana city from Turkey. METHODS: The samples attending our department were divided into two groups: group 1 comprised victims who recanted their first abuse disclosure, and group 2 comprised victims who insisted on the veracity of their first report at further evaluations. The characteristics of the child, family, and abuser were compared between recanting victims and non-recanting victims by retrospective data. RESULTS: Each group included 27 children, for a total of 54 subjects. All adverse social reactions after the sexual abuse, including keeping secrets and a repressive family attitude, were higher among group 1 victims than group 2 victims (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although they are victimized by protecting family integrity, victims may show a tendency to keep secrets and to not immediately disclose an abuse event.

Toilet Training Readiness Scale for 0-5-Year-Old Children: A New Measurement Tool Based on a Child-Centred Approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is no standardised approach to toilet training in children. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting the duration of toilet training in children aged 0-5 years and to develop a tool to assess the child's readiness to start toilet training. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 409 children aged 0-5 years. Social, economic, behavioural, and developmental characteristics that are effective in toilet training in healthy children were evaluated. A scale assessing children's readiness for toilet training (Toilet Training Readiness Scale-TTRS) was developed and content validated. RESULTS: The mean age of the 409 children included in this study was 44.69 ± 13.07 months (min = 4; max = 60 months). The mean age of initiation of toilet training was 26.8 months. Most frequently, urine and faeces trainings were started together (52.1%). In the logistic regression analysis performed to evaluate the factors affecting the duration of toilet training, it was found that the TTRS score, mother's employment status, family type, child's first reaction, toilet type, and continuity of training were important predictors. The duration of toilet training showed a weak negative correlation with the scores obtained from the TTRS and the number of children in the family but a weak positive correlation with the age at the beginning of toilet training. The TTRS scores were inversely proportional to the duration of toilet training. CONCLUSIONS: Family characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, and readiness of the child for and no interruption in toilet training are important in completing toilet training in a short time and successfully. If a child-focused approach is adopted, evaluating the child from this point of view and initiating the training at the appropriate time may help to complete a more successful and shorter toilet training. We recommend that the scale we have developed be studied in other studies and different groups.

Sexual abuse in a classroom of ten male students: a group victimization.

The term "professional perpetrator" is used to describe individuals who commit sexual abuse in the capacity of a position of trust such as a teacher, household member, or employer. There is an increasing body of evidence focusing on educator sexual abuse in the school environment. However, data are limited about this topic. The aim of this paper is to present the rare occurrence of the case of a male teacher in Turkey who sexually abused his students in an elementary school. Although it is unknown which populations are most vulnerable to sexual abuse, in Turkey we think that the indigenous population is at risk. Abuse cases are not logged into the criminal justice system because the majority of abuse allegations are ignored or disbelieved by families.

Comparison of Isocaloric and Hypercaloric Diet in Undernourished Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine efficacies of fiber-containing isocaloric and hypercaloric enteral supplements generally used to treat undernutrition. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pediatrics, Sanliurfa Halfeti State Hospital, Turkey from September 2019 to June 2020. METHODOLOGY: Pediatric patients aged 1-19 years were diagnosed solely with primary undernutrition, were given fiber containing isocaloric or hypercaloric enteral supplements for six months based on their energy requirements. A comparative analysis of anthropometrical data was made with each formula. The analysis included baseline weight, height, BMI of patients, and important micro-nutrient levels at three and six months after intervention. RESULTS: BMI, weight and height z-scores (p <0.001) were improved over six months. There were no differences in BMI and weight scores except for a significant improvement in height between baseline and third month, which was observed in patients who received hypercaloric formula unlike isocolaric formula. There was a two-tailed improvement in blood biochemistry values of both groups. CONCLUSION: Both isocaloric and hypercaloric supplementation had positive effects on anthropometry and blood biochemistry. These results show that both formulae are highly beneficial for children with primary undernutrition. Key Words: Pediatrics, Body mass index, Therapeutics, Gastroenterology, Undernutrition.

Evaluation of child marriage in a Turkish sample: 8 years' data.

This study aims to examine 167 adolescents who were referred by courts between 2008 and 2016 to prepare medical-legal reports on their suitability for marriage. Most were illiterate or graduates of primary/secondary school; only 17 (10.2%) were still at high school. A total of 95 girls (56.9%) had a religious marriage without a civil certificate, 63 girls (37.7%) were pregnant, and 15 (9%) had a child. According to medical reports, 91 of the girls were considered unsuitable for marriage; 76 girls who were pregnant and/or had a child were also considered unsuitable, so it was necessary to let the judge decide.

Seroprevalence of rubella in school girls and pregnant women.

Many studies have been assigned to investigate the surveillance of congenital rubella syndrome, acquired rubella and seroprevalence in different countries to determine the new vaccination program and national vaccination schedules. Seroprevalence of rubella in Turkey is still insufficient and national immunization schedules do not include routine rubella vaccination. In this study we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of rubella at child bearing age in an unvaccinated population in Adana, southern Turkey, to help determine whether routine rubella vaccination is necessary, if so when it should be administered. Ninety-four school girls aged 12-18 years living in Adana were selected for the study and stratified according to the socioeconomic status of their parents and evaluated for rubella antibodies. One hundred pregnant women aged 18-25 years and 100 pregnant women aged 26-35 years were sampled rubella antibodies. Rubella specific IgG antibody was measured qualitatively and quantitatively by using microparticule enzyme immune assay technology. Rubella specific IgG antibody was positive in 87-94 school girls (92.5%). The geometric mean rubella specific IgG antibody value was found be 148.14 IU/ml. No correlation was found between socioeconomic status and rubella seropositivity (p = 0.6521). In all pregnant women rubella specific IgG antibody was found to be positive. In conclusion rubella vaccination should be considered carefully in developing countries. Because of the high seropositivity to rubella in our region we do not recommend rubella vaccination in early childhood. Yet this is a preliminary study and further studies with larger population size are needed to determine the national immunization policy for rubella.