Prevalence and factors associated with adverse early childhood experiences: a population-based study in Ceará, Brazil / Prevalência e fatores associados a experiências adversas na primeira infância: um estudo de base populacional no Ceará, Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences and identify associated factors. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study comprised data from a sample of 3,200 households with 3,566 children under 6 years of age, representative of the state of Ceará, Brazil. A multistage sampling approach was used, with stratification among the state capital, Fortaleza, and the 28 countryside municipalities, in which 160 census tracts were randomly selected, each one with a cluster of 20 households. The outcome variable was structured based on adverse childhood experiences as suggested by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to the number of situations to which the child was exposed: 0-2, 3-5, and 6-9. Ordinal logistic regression multivariate model was applied to assess associations. Results: Among the 3,566 children studied, 89.7% (95%CI 88.7-90.7) were exposed to at least one adverse experience, of which the most prevalent were neglect, and emotional/physical abuse. The main factors associated were maternal advanced age and smoking, paternal absence, low education level of the head of the family, food insecurity and lack of a social support network. Conclusion: The study found a high occurrence of adverse early childhood experiences, particularly among preschool children born to mothers of older age, solo, who smoke and in a situation of social and economic vulnerability, including food insecurity, who should be target of control and prevention measures.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de experiências adversas na infância e identificar fatores associados. Métodos: O estudo transversal de base populacional compreendeu os dados de uma amostra de 3.200 domicílios com 3.566 crianças menores de seis anos, representativa do estado do Ceará, Brasil. Foi utilizado um processo de amostragem multiestágio, com estratificação entre a capital do estado, Fortaleza, e os 28 municípios do interior, nos quais foram sorteados 160 setores censitários, cada qual com um conglomerado de 20 domicílios. A variável desfecho foi estruturada com base nas situações de experiências adversas na infância sugeridas pelo grupo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, de acordo com o número de situações a que a criança foi exposta: 0-2, 3-5 e 6-9. O modelo multivariado de regressão logística ordinal foi utilizado para avaliar as associações. Resultados: Das 3.566 crianças estudadas, 89,7% (intervalo de confiança — IC95% 88,7-90,7) foram expostas a pelo menos uma experiência adversa, sendo as mais prevalentes negligência e abuso emocional/físico. Os principais fatores associados às experiências adversas na infância foram a idade materna mais elevada e o tabagismo materno, a ausência paterna, a baixa escolaridade do chefe da família, a insegurança alimentar e a falta de rede de apoio social. Conclusão: O estudo encontrou alta ocorrência de experiências adversas na primeira infância, principalmente entre crianças nascidas de mães de idade mais elevada e tabagistas, sem a presença paterna, e em situação de vulnerabilidade social e econômica, como a insegurança alimentar, que deve ser alvo prioritário de medidas de prevenção e controle.

Prevalence, socioeconomic factors and obstetric outcomes associated with adolescent motherhood in Ceará, Brazil: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent motherhood (AM) remains a public health problem, especially in low and middle income countries, where approximately 95% of these births occur. Evidence from studies with population representativeness about events associated with AM is limited. We assessed the prevalence of AM, as well as its association with Socioeconomic Factors and Obstetric Outcomes. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study on maternal and child health of women aged 10 to 49 years, living in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil was carried out to assess the prevalence of AM, as well as its association with Socioeconomic Factors and Obstetric Outcomes. The definition of adolescence used in the study was the one utilized by the WHO. In addition to the interview, data were double-checked according to the information in the government's pregnancy health booklet. Sample-adjusted logistic models to determine the association of socioeconomic factors and AM, as well as the association of AM with obstetric outcomes, with a causal approach to multivariate analyses, were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of adolescent motherhood was 18.6%. Poverty and household crowding were associated with greater chances of AM (p values of 0.038 and <  0.001, respectively), as well as not being in a stable relationship (OR 2.26 (95%CI: 1.67, 3.07), p <  0.001). AM showed a greater chance of not using community health services (p <  0.001), had fewer prenatal consultations (ß - 0.432 (95%CI: - 0.75, - 0.10)) and started prenatal care at a later date (ß 0.38 (95%CI: 0.21, 0.55), p <  0.001)). AM are also less likely to be tested for HIV and more likely to have urinary tract infections. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed at socially-vulnerable adolescents are suggested. However, if pregnant, adolescents should receive proactive and differentiated prenatal care.