The risk factors to youth violence: findings from the CARICOM youth crime and violence school survey, Bahamas

OBJECTIVES: To determine the risk factors for in-school violence among Bahamas public school students. DESIGN AND METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 from four public schools on New Providence island, Bahamas. Questionnaire focus was on school violence. Physical fighting, weapon carrying, and bullying were tested for associations for selected risk factors, including family structure, socioeconomic status, gang membership, attitudes toward school and delinquent behaviour, and delinquent peers. Bivariate associations were tested using Pearson chi-square and Fisher’s Exact Test (p <= .05). RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty eight students completed the survey (53% female); median age was 15 years (range 10 to 19). The average household size was 4. A third (34%) lived with both parents. Most parents had at least a high school education. More than half (55%) answered favourably for most school items. Forty six percent did not have friends who committed delinquent acts, and 68% felt most delinquent acts were morally wrong. Forty percent were in a gang, 7% carried weapons, 12% bullied, and 16% physically fought and/or injured someone. Students who were in gangs, had delinquent peers, and felt that delinquent acts were not wrong were more likely to bully, fight, carry weapons, and be in a gang. School connectedness was associated with all deviant activities except gang membership. Family make-up and socioeconomic status were not associated with delinquency. CONCLUSIONS: Schools should strongly monitor gang activity. Schools can also take advantage of students’ favourability toward school with after-school programs.

Trichodina ctenophorii n. sp., a novel symbiont of ctenophores of the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Peritrich ciliates of the genus Trichodina are internal or external symbionts of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. We describe here Trichodina ctenophorii n. sp., a symbiont of Mnemiopsis mccraydii and Beroë ovata (Phylum Ctenophora). The morphology of fixed and living specimens is revealed by silver impregnation, scanning electron microscopy, and differential interference microscopy. Distinguishing features of Trichodina ctenophorii include a denticular morphology composed of falcate, blunt-tipped blades, and long, straight thorns, with five pins per denticle. Trichodina ctenophorii is found only on the comb plates of these ctenophores. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a trichodinid from the Gulf of Mexico and the first associated with ctenophores.

Adolescents who attempt suicide.

A suicide prevention program for teen-agers was established and at the completion of the first two years a review of the data was undertaken. A group of 65 adolescents who attempted suicide were identified in that time period. The median age group was 16 years, and 75% were girls. Ingestion was the predominant method used in these suicidal attempts. The major characteristics of these youngsters included long-term family disruption, social isolation, and academic difficulties. A subgroup of 25 adolescents received psychologic tests. When compared to a matched control group there was a significantly higher rate of minimal brain dysfunction for those adolescents who attempted suicide.