"I Worry About My Kids' Safety When They Visit": Mothers' Perceptions of Father/Child Post-Separation Contact in the Context of IPV.

After separation because of intimate partner violence, fathers' contact with children can be problematic. This mixed methods secondary analysis focused on 280 Canadian separated/divorced mothers who were 48.4% White, 45.1% Indigenous, and 6.5% Visible Minority. Of 176 fathers, 105 (59.7%) had regular visits and, 71 (40.3%) visited sporadically; 104 had no contact. Comments from half the mothers (54.3%) with regular father-child visits indicated worry, and 41.9% of all mothers perceived their children as sad/upset and another 14.5% as angry/acting out in response to visitation. Recommendations to address mothers' and children's issues with respect to problematic father-child contact are provided.

Testing the effectiveness of a sexual assault resistance programme in 'real-world' implementation.

Background: In a multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT), the EAAA programme designed for first year university women (17-24 years old) was shown to reduce the likelihood of any (attempted and completed) rape in the next year by 50% (Senn, C. Y., Eliasziw, M., Barata, P. C., Thurston, W. E., Newby-Clark, I. R., Radtke, H. L., & Hobden, K. L. (2015). Efficacy of a sexual assault resistance program for university women. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(24), 2326-2335). Through a non-profit organization, EAAA has been available to universities globally since 2016 using a Train-the-Trainer model. Observations of the 'real world' implementation suggested that universities often altered eligibility criteria (especially year of study and age) in their recruitment.Objective: The current study (2017-2021) evaluated whether EAAA was effective when implemented by universities in Canada outside of the constraints of an RCT.Method: Five universities participated. Women students who signed up to take the EAAA programme on their campuses were recruited for the research. Participants completed surveys at 1-week pre-program and 1-week and 6-months post-programme. Compared to the RCT, participant eligibility was broader, the sample was more diverse in terms of race and sexual identity and had a higher proportion of survivors. Programme fidelity was adequate.Results: Comparisons in this quasi-experimental design, between students who took the programme and students in the control group (i.e. those who signed up but did not attend the programme), confirmed the effectiveness of the EAAA programme. Reduction of any rape exceeded the a priori benchmark of 37.5%. Completed rape was significantly reduced by 57.3% at 6-months. Reduction in attempted rape of 32.9% was lower than in the RCT likely due to the somewhat older (average age 22 vs 18) sample. Positive changes to previously established mediators of the programme effects were all replicated.Conclusions: These findings suggest that the EAAA is highly effective when implemented by universities even when eligibility for students in terms of year of study and age is broadened.

This study evaluates whether the EAAA programme is effective when implemented by university staff at five Canadian universities outside of the constraints of an RCT.Women-identified students who attended the EAAA programme experienced a 57.3% reduction in completed rape and other benefits including increased confidence and reductions in rape myth beliefs when compared to a comparable group of students who signed up but didn't attend the programme.These reductions in sexual victimization in the 'real-world' implementation of the EAAA programme in a sample of diverse undergraduate and graduate students enhances our confidence in its ability to reduce the pervasive public health issue of sexual violence experienced by women in university.

"He Tells People That I Am Going to Kill My Children": Post-Separation Coercive Control in Men Who Perpetrate IPV.

Relatively little research has examined men's use of coercive controlling tactics against female partners after separation. This mixed-methods secondary analysis of 346 Canadian women documented coercive controlling tactics used by their ex-partners (86.4% identified at least one). The composite abuse scale emotional abuse subscale and women being older were associated with men using coercive control tactics post-separation. A secondary qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with a sub-sample of 34 women provided additional examples. Abusive partners used numerous strategies to coercively control their ex-partners by stalking/harassing them, using financial abuse and discrediting the women to various authorities. Considerations for future research are presented.

"I Felt Powerful and Confident": Women's Use of What They Learned in Feminist Sexual Assault Resistance Education.

Research on women's response and resistance to sexual assault risk has informed the development of interventions to improve women's ability to effectively resist sexual assault. However, little is known about how women anticipate, navigate, and respond to risk following participation in sexual assault risk reduction/resistance education programs. In this study, we examined the information and skills used by university women who had recently completed the effective Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) sexual assault resistance program. We analyzed responses from 445 women using descriptive statistics and content and thematic analysis. Just under half (42%) of women used at least one EAAA strategy in the following 2 years. Most women reported that their efforts were successful in stopping an attack. Women's responses included strategies both to preempt sexual assault threat (e.g., avoiding men who display danger cues, communicating assertively about wanted and unwanted sex) and to interrupt or avoid an imminent threat (e.g., yelling, hitting, and kicking). Women's use of resistance strategies worked to subvert gendered social norms and socialization. The results suggest that counter to criticisms that risk reduction/resistance programs blame women or make them responsible for stopping men's violence, women who took EAAA typically positioned themselves as agentic and empowered in their resistance.

The Complexities of Intimate Partner Violence: Mental Health, Disabilities, and Child Abuse History for White, Indigenous, and Other Visible Minority Canadian Women.

This research examines how mental health issues associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) relate to women's intersecting identities of race/ethnicity, disability status, and child abuse history. Data (N = 595) from a Canadian triprovincial study included women who were White (n = 263, 44.8%), Indigenous (n = 292, 49.7%), or visible minority (n = 32, 5.5%). Few demographic differences were found. None of the mental health measures (Symptom Checklist-Short Form [SCL-10], Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression [CES-D-10], Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD] Checklist) were in the clinical ranges. In a MANCOVA on the mental health scales, with IPV severity, racial group, disability status, and child abuse history as variables, only disability was significantly associated with more mental health symptoms.

The Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadian Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Women Abused by Intimate Partners.

Intimate partner violence (IPV), mental health, disabilities, and child abuse history were examined for 292 Indigenous compared with 295 non-Indigenous Canadian women. IPV was assessed by the Composite Abuse Scale and mental health by the Symptom Checklist-10, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression 10, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist, and Quality of Life Questionnaire. Scores did not differ nor were they in the clinical ranges for the two groups. In a MANCOVA on the mental health/well-being scales, with IPV severity as a covariate, only disability was significantly associated with more severe mental health symptoms. Suggestions for service providers are presented.

Mothering, Guiding, and Responding to Children: A Comparison of Women Abused and Not Abused by Intimate Partners.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has many negative outcomes for women, children, and families. However, researchers have opposing perspectives and findings with respect to the effects on mothering for abused women. The assumption by some service providers that abused mothers are compromised in their parenting generally ignores the larger issue of male violence and women's and children's safety. The question examined in this study was whether there were differences in reported positive parenting responses with children between women who have experienced IPV and those who have not experienced IPV. The sample consisted of 1,211 mothers and came from two studies: The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, and The Healing Journey: A Longitudinal Study of Mothers Affected by Intimate Partner Violence. The Positive Interaction and Rational Parenting scales, adapted from Strayhorn and Weidman's Parenting Practices Scale, were used to measure parenting interactions. Bivariate correlations between the outcome variables and maternal age, maternal education, child age, and child sex were calculated to determine whether any of these variables were significantly related to the Positive Interaction Scale or Rational Parenting Scale. This was followed by ANCOVA to determine whether mothers who had experienced IPV differed in their scores on the two parenting scales from mothers who had not experienced IPV. Findings did not support the notion that abused women are compromised in their parenting responses with their children in regard to positive interactions and behavior management. Recommendations include a greater focus on the prevention of IPV, addressing the source of violence and providing appropriate support for mothers who experience IPV.

Secondary and 2-Year Outcomes of a Sexual Assault Resistance Program for University Women.

We report the secondary outcomes and longevity of efficacy from a randomized controlled trial that evaluated a novel sexual assault resistance program designed for first-year women university students. Participants (N = 893) were randomly assigned to receive the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) program or a selection of brochures (control). Perception of personal risk, self-defense self-efficacy, and rape myth acceptance was assessed at baseline; 1-week postintervention; and 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month postrandomization. Risk detection was assessed at 1 week, 6 months, and 12 months. Sexual assault experience and knowledge of effective resistance strategies were assessed at all follow-ups. The EAAA program produced significant increases in women's perception of personal risk, self-defense self-efficacy, and knowledge of effective (forceful verbal and physical) resistance strategies; the program also produced decreases in general rape myth acceptance and woman blaming over the entire 24-month follow-up period. Risk detection was significantly improved for the intervention group at post-test. The program significantly reduced the risk of completed and attempted rape, attempted coercion, and nonconsensual sexual contact over the entire follow-up period, yielding reductions between 30% and 64% at 2 years. The EAAA program produces long-lasting changes in secondary outcomes and in the incidence of sexual assault experienced by women students. Universities can reduce the harm and the negative health consequences that young women experience as a result of campus sexual assault by implementing this program. Online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/page/pwq/suppl/index.

Protective Strategies of Mothers Abused by Intimate Partners: Rethinking the Deficit Model.

Exposure to intimate partner violence is detrimental to children, but can abused mothers protect them, and, if so, what can they do? This study of 350 Canadian abused women represents the first quantitative examination of such protective strategies. The actions that mothers most commonly used and perceived as effective include showing affection and being nurturing to their children. The strategies often suggested by professionals, such as contacting police and obtaining protection orders, were used less and considered less effective than informal strategies. Professionals are urged to ask mothers what strategies they use, especially those who do not involve formal systems.

Efficacy of a sexual assault resistance program for university women.

BACKGROUND: Young women attending university are at substantial risk for being sexually assaulted, primarily by male acquaintances, but effective strategies to reduce this risk remain elusive. METHODS: We randomly assigned first-year female students at three universities in Canada to the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act Sexual Assault Resistance program (resistance group) or to a session providing access to brochures on sexual assault, as was common university practice (control group). The resistance program consists of four 3-hour units in which information is provided and skills are taught and practiced, with the goal of being able to assess risk from acquaintances, overcome emotional barriers in acknowledging danger, and engage in effective verbal and physical self-defense. The primary outcome was completed rape, as measured by the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization, during 1 year of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 451 women were assigned to the resistance group and 442 women to the control group. Of the women assigned to the resistance group, 91% attended at least three of the four units. The 1-year risk of completed rape was significantly lower in the resistance group than in the control group (5.2% vs. 9.8%; relative risk reduction, 46.3% [95% confidence interval, 6.8 to 69.1]; P=0.02). The 1-year risk of attempted rape was also significantly lower in the resistance group (3.4% vs. 9.3%, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A rigorously designed and executed sexual assault resistance program was successful in decreasing the occurrence of rape, attempted rape, and other forms of victimization among first-year university women. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the University of Windsor; SARE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01338428.).

Sexual violence in the lives of first-year university women in Canada: no improvements in the 21st century.

BACKGROUND: Summarizes the frequency, type, and context of sexual assault in a large sample of first-year university women at three Canadian universities. METHODS: As part of a randomized controlled trial assessing the efficacy of a sexual assault resistance education program, baseline data were collected from women between ages of 17 and 24 using computerized surveys. Participants' experience with sexual victimization since the age of 14 years was assessed using the Sexual Experiences Survey--Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV). RESULTS: Among 899 first-year university women (mean age = 18.5 years), 58.7% (95% CI: 55.4%, 62.0%) had experienced one or more forms of victimization since the age of 14 years, 35.0% (95% CI: 31.9%, 38.3%) had experienced at least one completed or attempted rape, and 23.5% (95% CI: 20.7%, 26.4%) had been raped. Among the 211 rape victims, 46.4% (95% CI: 39.7%, 53.2%) had experienced more than one type of assault (oral, vaginal, anal) in a single incident or across multiple incidents. More than three-quarters (79.6%; 95% CI: 74.2%, 85.1%) of the rapes occurred while women were incapacitated by alcohol or drugs. One-third (33.3%) of women had previous self-defence training, but few (4.0%) had previous sexual assault education. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from the first large Canadian study of university women since the 1990s indicate that a large proportion of women arrive on campuses with histories of sexual victimization, and they are generally unprepared for the perpetrators they may face during their academic years. There is an urgent need for effective rape prevention programs on university campuses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01338428. Registered 13 April 2011.

Sexual assault resistance education for university women: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (SARE trial).

BACKGROUND: More than one in six women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, most by men they know. The situation on university campuses is even more startling, with as many as 1 in 4 female students being victims of rape or attempted rape. The associated physical and mental health effects are extensive and the social and economic costs are staggering. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to determine whether a novel, small-group sexual assault resistance education program can reduce the incidence of sexual assault among university-attending women, when compared to current university practice of providing informational brochures. METHODS/DESIGN: The trial will evaluate a theoretically and empirically sound four-unit, 12-hour education program that has been demonstrated in pilot studies to have short-term efficacy. Three of the four units provide information, skills, and practice aimed at decreasing the time needed for women to assess situations with elevated risk of acquaintance sexual assault as dangerous and to take action, reducing emotional obstacles to taking action, and increasing the use of the most effective methods of verbal and physical self-defense. The fourth unit focuses on facilitating a stronger positive sexuality from which women may resist sexual coercion by male intimates more successfully. The trial will extend the pilot evaluations by expanding the participant pool and examining the long term efficacy of the program. A total of 1716 first-year female students (age 17 to 24 years) from three Canadian universities will be enrolled. The primary outcome is completed sexual assault, measured by The Sexual Experiences Survey - Short Form Victimization instrument. Secondary outcomes include changes in knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to the process of sexual assault resistance. Outcomes will be measured at baseline, 1 week, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. DISCUSSION: The results of the trial will be used to produce a maximally effective sexual assault resistance education program that can be adopted by universities, to assess whether aspects of the program need to be strengthened, and also to indicate how long the effects of the program last and at which point in time refresher sessions may be necessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01338428.

[Protein Z deficiency in unexplained affinity to thromboses, bleedings or abortions]. / Protein-Z-Mangel bei ungeklärter Neigung zu Thrombosen, Blutungen oder Aborten.

UNLABELLED: A protein Z deficiency is presumably related with a threefold risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. Mucosal bleedings and post-operative haematomas can occur more frequently. This is seen in an increased in vivo bleeding time without other plasmatic coagulation disorders or thrombopathies. Pregnancy complications, especially abortions before the 15th week of gestation, are described as well. PATIENTS, METHODS: Since May 2011 the plasmatic concentration of protein Z has been tested in 684 patients of the Hämostaseologicum. RESULTS: In 74 patients a protein Z deficiency has been found. In other 45 patients protein Z was reduced because of the intake of phenprocoumon or coumadin. Of the 74 patients with diminished protein Z concentration 39 were marginally decreased (protein Z 1000-1500 µg/l). Of the 35 patients with a protein Z concentration <1000 µg/l 12 had had a thrombosis before (6 strokes, 3 DVT or PE, 1 arterial thrombosis, 1 retinal branch vein occlusion, 1 acute hearing loss). 7 had arterial hypertension, 2 suffered from diabetes mellitus. Of the patients who had a thrombosis 6 had a heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation. 10 had a microcirculation disorder (Raynaud's phenomenon), 4 had had bleeding complications before, 3 had a von Willebrand disease type I, 6 patients had had abortions and 4 were healthy. Of the 39 patients with protein Z concentrations between 1000 and 1500 µg/l 18 had experienced a thrombosis before (9 DVT or PE, 3 myocardial infarctions, 1 CHD, 3 strokes, 1 retinal branch vein occlusion, 1 PAOD I, 1 tinnitus). 5 additionally had arterial hypertension. 13 suffered from Raynaud's phenomenon, of which 7 had a hypotension. Of the patients with thromboses 3 had a heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation and one a protein C deficiency. 7 patients had had an abortion before. Bleeding complications were seen in 4 patients, of which 3 suffered from von Willebrand disease type 1.

[Risk pregnancies and how to treat them]. / Risikoschwangerschaften und deren Therapie.

UNLABELLED: Recurrent abortions are a common problem. A therapy with low-molecular- weight heparin is usual in deep vein thrombosis with thrombophilia, in woman with recurrent abortions or other risks, like EPH-gestosis or HELLP-Syndrom. PATIENTS, METHOD: The efficacy of a mono-therapy with LMWH (3000-16000 daily) in women with risk pregnancies has been examined prospectively. The dates of 676 pregnant women have been analysed and compared to the current literature about live birth rates without therapy and tot he results of other, similar studies. The live birth rate has been the target variable. RESULTS: We obtained main a live birth rate of 98.6%. There has been no record of serious adverse effects. We obtained a live birth rate of 95.8% if NMH therapy starts early, and a live birth rate of 100% if NMH therapy starts between week 20 and 25. For the live birth rate the existence of thrombophilic gene polymorphisms is irrelevant. CONCLUSION: The high live birth weight is depended on early starting the therapy with NMH. For the late risk it is favourable to start the therapy with heparin between week 20 and 25 week of pregnancy.

Influence of blood donation on levels of water-soluble vitamins.

Iron depletion is a well-known side effect of blood donation. Research evidence also suggests an increasing prevalence of vitamin deficiency in apparently healthy subjects, but there is little information regarding the relationship between blood donation and vitamin status. A total of 217 volunteers (80 first-time and 137 repeat blood donors) were consecutively enrolled in the study. All subjects completed self-administered medical history and food intake forms, which included questions regarding alcohol consumption and smoking as well as on vitamin supplement, iron and contraceptive use (females). Vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12 and biotin levels were measured using standard techniques. The mean vitamin levels of first-time and repeat blood donors did not significantly differ. Vitamin deficiencies occurred in both first-time and repeat blood donors but not on vitamin supplements. Vitamin status was affected by alcohol, nicotine and contraceptives. Blood donation does not decrease the level of water-soluble vitamins. Vitamin deficiencies occur in apparently healthy first-time as well as in repeat blood donors and can be prevented by vitamin supplementation.

[Preoperative identification of patients with impaired (primary) haemostasis. A practical concept]. / Präoperative Identifikation von Patienten mit (primären) Hämostasestörungen. Ein praktisches Konzept.

The findings of a large prospective study designed to identify primary and/or secondary haemostatic disorders before surgical interventions are presented. A total of 5649 unselected adult patients were enrolled to identify impaired haemostasis before surgical interventions. Each patient was asked to answer a standardized questionnaire concerning bleeding history. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), and platelet counts (PC) including PFA-100 (platelet function analyzer): collagen-epinephrine (C/E), and collagen-ADP (C/ADP) were routinely done in all patients. Additional tests, bleeding time (BT), von Willebrand factor (VWF:Ag, VWF:Rcof) and a further haemostaseological diagnostic was performed only in patients with a positive bleeding history and/or evidence of impaired haemostasis; e.g., drug ingestion. The bleeding history was negative in 5021 patients (88.8%) but positive in the remaining 628 (11.2%). Impaired haemostasis could be verified only in 256 (40.8%) of these patients. The vast majority was identified with PFA-100: C/E (n = 250; 97.7%). The sensitivity of the PFA-100: collagen-epinephrine was the highest (90.8%) in comparison to the other screening tests (BT, aPTT, PT, VWF : Ag). The positive predictive value (to detection of impaired haemostasis) of the PFA-100: collagen-epinephrine with the standardized questionnaire was high (82%), but the negative predictive value was higher (93%). The use of a standardized questionnaire and, if indicated, the PFA-100: C/E and/or other specific tests not only ensure the detection of impaired haemostasis in almost every case but also a significant reduction of the costs. Based on these data, national regards are formulated or under construction.

The private struggle of mothers with asthma: a gender perspective on illness management.

Little attention has been paid to the specific problems of mothers with chronic illness. In this study of mothers with asthma, we asked the question: "how do they manage their illness"? We interviewed a purposive sample of four Dutch and four Canadian mothers living with asthma and varying in age and socio-economic class. Our analysis explored challenges the mothers face, three main strategies of non-medical illness management (prevention, normalization and mobilizing support), and the influence of age and class differences. Unhealthy cycles of living with asthma are identified and suggestions for mother-specific interventions are offered. By drawing attention to the gendered nature of chronic illness management and to patients' own experiences, a more useful frame of reference is created for professionals who do not have first hand knowledge of living with a chronic illness.

Validation of the sterilization procedure of allogeneic avital bone transplants using peracetic acid-ethanol.

Different procedures are available to inactivate bacteria and fungi, including their spores, as well as viruses in human bone transplants. The most efficient methods are considered to be gamma irradiation and thermal inactivation as well as chemical sterilization methods like the peracetic acid-ethanol treatment (PES). Following national and international standards or draft standards, the antimicrobial effectiveness of this procedure was evaluated. Due to the standardizable size as well as the clinical relevance, defatted human spongiosa cuboids (15x15x15 mm) served as model system. After treatment with PES for 2 and 4 hours, respectively, the titre of living micro-organisms was determined in the supernatant and the cuboid. A reduction in the titre of viable micro-organisms below the detection level (reduction factor >5 log10) was already achieved after an incubation time of 2 hours (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium sporogenes, Mycobacterium terrae, Candida albicans as well as spores of Bacillus subtilis). No viable micro-organisms could be detected in any of the PES-treated test cuboids. Spores of Aspergillus niger were also completely inactivated. The PES procedure proved to be a reliable method for the sterilization of human bone transplants derived from spongiosa.