Anthropometry Indices and Body Composition in Adolescent Girls with Anemia: A Scoping Review.

To reduce anemia rates, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of anemia and its associated factors. It is essential for teenagers who are going through a period of rapid growth to promptly address anemia since untreated anemia can negatively impact their reproductive health. This literature review investigated the relationship between nutritional and anthropometric status indicators, body composition, and prevalence of anemia in teenage girls. Studies were selected based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. A comprehensive search across multiple databases (PubMed= 409, ScienceDirect= 3153, Scopus= 4, Sage Journals= 358) and manual citation of five articles yielded 3929 articles, of which 630 were excluded for irrelevance, one was inaccessible, and nine articles were included in the study after assessing their eligibility. The review's findings suggest that indicators such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) are indicated as initial assessments to screen the nutritional status of adolescent females and estimate their risk of anemia. Only one article has specifically discussed the connection between fat mass and anemia in terms of body composition. The need for studies on anthropometry and body composition-related anemia underscores the need to broaden investigations to gain a more nuanced understanding of this subject.

Effects of neuroticism on pre-exam irritable bowel syndrome in female middle school students: mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty and moderating role of exercise duration.

Background: China, which is deeply influenced by Confucianism, places special emphasis on students' test scores. Previous studies have shown that neuroticism is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adolescents. However, the mechanisms underlying this association before exams in female secondary school students are unknown. The present study sought to ascertain whether IU mediates the association between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS, and to determine whether exercise duration moderates the relationship between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS. Methods: The sample consisted of 685 Chinese female middle school students (Mage = 14.81, SD = 1.55, range = 11-18) who completed paper questionnaires, including the neuroticism subscale of the Chinese Neuroticism Extraversion Openness Five-Factor Inventory, the IBS Symptom Severity Scale, a simplified version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and a movement time questionnaire. Independent samples t-test was used to compare differences between groups and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the bivariate correlation. The SPSS PROCESS 4.1 plug-in was then used to examine the mediating role of IU as well as the moderating role of movement time between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS. Results: Neuroticism and IU were significantly correlated with pre-exam IBS (r = 0.39, 0.30, respectively; all p < 0.01), and neuroticism was significantly correlated with IU (r = 0.46, p < 0.01). Neuroticism had a direct predictive effect on pre-exam IBS in Chinese female middle school students (ß = 0.32, p < 0.001), and IU also had a positive effect on pre-exam IBS (ß = 0.15, p < 0.001). The mediating effect value of IU on the total effect was 18.09%. The relationship between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS was moderated by movement time (ß = -0.23, p < 0.05). Conclusion: IU plays a mediating role between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS, and exercise time plays a moderating role between neuroticism and pre-exam IBS. These findings provide an evidence for neuroticism intervention, IU management, and pre-exam IBS improvement in female middle school students.

Overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Nigeria; an emerging, but under-reported epidemic.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are increasing at epidemic levels in all ages globally, but there is little nationally representative data on female adolescents in Nigeria. The focus on female adolescents is important because of the negative implications of overweight and obesity on their health and survival, and that of their unborn children. AIM: To estimate the prevalence and identify the determinants of overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Nigeria. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using data from the Nigeria demographic and health survey, 2018. A total of 2,721 female adolescents aged 15-19 years were selected using cluster sampling technique. Overweight and obesity were determined using BMI-for-age reference values of World Health Organization and different explanatory variables at the individual, household and community levels were included. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the determinants of overweight/obesity using five models. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 16.8 ± 1.4 years. The prevalence rate of overweight/obesity was 10.2%, but with a large variation in the geographical and socio-economic distribution. At the crude/unadjusted rate, nearly all the explanatory variables showed a statistically significant association with overweight and obesity, but at the full model which controlled for all the explanatory variables, only the household wealth index retained its statistically significant association, such that female adolescents who were from richer and richest households had about 3 times higher odds of being obese compared to those from the poorest households. (OR: 2.7; p = 0.018; CI: 1.18-6.18), (OR: 2.8; p = 0.027; CI: 1.13-7.06) respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight/obesity among female adolescents in Nigeria was 10.2%. The household wealth index remained the only factor with a statistically significant association with overweight and obesity after controlling for confounders. Efforts at addressing overweight and obesity among female adolescents in Nigeria should target those from the richer/richest households.

Long-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 and its components on menarche timing among Chinese adolescents: evidence from a representative nationwide cohort.

BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollutants have been suggested to affect pubertal development. Nevertheless, current studies indicate inconsistent effects of these pollutants, causing precocious or delayed puberty onset. This study aimed to explore the associations between long-term exposure to particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) along with its components and menarche timing among Chinese girls. METHOD: Self-reported age at menarche was collected among 855 girls from China Health and Nutrition Survey 2004 to 2015. The pre-menarche annual average concentrations of PM2.5 and its components were calculated on the basis of a long-term (2000-2014) high-resolution PM2.5 components dataset. Generalized linear models (GLM) and logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations of exposure to a single pollutant (PM2.5, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, black carbon and organic matter) with age at menarche and early menarche (< 12 years), respectively. Weighted quantile sum methods were applied to examine the impacts of joint exposure on menarche timing. RESULTS: In the adjusted GLM, per 1 µg/m3 increase of annual average concentrations of nitrate and ammonium decreased age at menarche by 0.098 years and 0.127 years, respectively (all P < 0.05). Every 1 µg/m3 increase of annual average concentrations of PM2.5 (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.08), sulfate (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01-1.50), nitrate (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.06-1.43) and ammonium (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.06-1.66) were significantly positively associated with early menarche. Higher level of joint exposure to PM2.5 and its components was associated with 11% higher odds of early menarche (P = 0.04). Additionally, the estimated weight of sulfate was the largest among the mixed pollutants. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term exposure to PM2.5 and its components could increase the risk of early menarche among Chinese girls. Moreover, sulfate might be the most critical components responsible for this relationship. Our study provides foundation for targeted prevention of PM2.5 components.

Factors Associated With HIV Testing in Adolescent and Young Adult Females With a History of STI.

To determine the percentage of female adolescent patients (13-26 years old) who had HIV testing ordered within 90 days of incident sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis during an outpatient clinic visit. This was a retrospective chart review study evaluating 830 visits among 589 female patients 13 to 26 years who had an incident STI diagnosed in outpatient Adolescent Medicine or Pediatric Practices in an urban, nonprofit, academic, free-standing children's hospital at the main campus and a community site in the Northeast United States. Odds of HIV screening was greater at the community-based adolescent medicine practice (odds ratio [OR] = 3.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.92, 5.24]) and when seen by an adolescent medicine provider (OR = 1.44; 95% CI: [1.02, 2.03]). Only 33.5% (n = 283) of 844 clinical encounters had HIV screening obtained within 90 days of incident STI diagnosis. Overall, HIV screening rates within 90 days of STI diagnosis was low, and there is much room for improvement.

Age-Related Changes in Low Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone Levels in Female Adolescents: A Single-Center Retrospective Pilot Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Available data on the clinical significance of low serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in female adolescents are limited. The aim of this study was to elucidate age-related changes in low serum AMH levels in adolescents and to identify predictive factors for AMH progression. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on a series of female adolescents aged 11-19 years with low serum AMH levels (<1.19 ng/mL) who underwent additional AMH tests at least 1 year apart. Participants who showed an increase in the subsequent AMH test (>1.6 ng/mL) (Group 1) were compared with those who did not (Group 2). RESULTS: Among 1655 adolescents who underwent AMH testing at least once from 2010 to 2022, 75 participants (4.5%) exhibited low AMH levels (<1.19 ng/mL), excluding primary ovarian insufficiency. A notable increase in serum AMH levels (>1.6 ng/mL) was confirmed in 7 (30.4%) of 23 female adolescents who underwent relevant follow-up testing. Group 1 had higher initial AMH levels and lower initial follicle-stimulating hormone levels than Group 2 (1.0 vs 0.59 ng/mL, P = .001 and 4.4 vs 9.8 mIU/mL, P = .015, respectively). Ovarian volume did not differ between the groups (3.8 vs 4.4 cm3, P = .465). None of the participants with initial AMH levels under 0.75 ng/mL showed an increase in AMH levels during follow-up. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that low serum AMH levels in adolescents may have other explanations in addition to being indicative of a low ovarian reserve. Prospective studies involving a larger number of participants will aid in predicting AMH improvement in adolescents.

Body Dissatisfaction and Health Risk Behaviors Among Middle School Girls.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies demonstrate a relationship between body dissatisfaction and substance use and suicidal ideation among older adolescent girls and young women while less documentation exists for early adolescence. This study explored the relationship between reported weight loss attempts and substance use history and suicidal thoughts among younger female adolescents. METHODS: Participants (n = 1656) were middle school female students who participated in the 2019 Youth Behaviors Risk Survey. Participants were coded as "Trying to lose weight" and "Not trying to lose weight." Two hierarchal multiple binary logistic regressions were conducted, 1 for each of the dependent variables: (1) substance use history and (2) suicidality. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of the participants were trying to lose weight, 40% reported suicidal thoughts and 45% reported substance use history. Trying to lose weight was a significant predictor for both substance use (p < .01) and suicidality (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Body dissatisfaction and its association with risky health behaviors highlight the need for prevention education at earlier ages while reinforcing the need for availability of school counselors.

Associations between quantity and quality of dietary intake with haemoglobin concentration among female adolescents in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia

@#Introduction: An imbalance in diet can lead to anaemia in young women, which can impact not only themselves, but also the next generation. This study aimed to determine associations between quantity and quality of dietary intake with haemoglobin (Hb) concentration among female adolescents in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 347 young women aged 12-18 years from ten districts in Tasikmalaya City, selected by simple random sampling. Quantity and quality of dietary intake were measured by 2-repeated 24-hour dietary recalls, while portable haemoglobinometer (HemoCue® Hb 201+) was used to measure Hb concentration. Linear regression model predicted associations between quantity and quality of dietary intake with Hb concentration in female adolescents. Results: The proportion of subjects suffering from anaemia were 47.3%. Average intake of dietary iron was 6.7±3.0 mg and average dietary quality score was 32.6%. Dietary quality score and days of menstrual bleeding contributed as much as 12.7% to the variation in Hb concentration among female adolescents. Conclusion: Anaemia in female adolescents in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia is a serious public health problem. Diet quality score was associated with female adolescents’ Hb concentration; therefore, improving the quality of diet is important to reduce anaemia.

Obstructed Hemivagina with Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis: A Challenging Case Report and a Management Flow Chart.

We present here a case of complex uterine anomaly-obstructed hemivagina with ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA), also known as Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome in a 13-year-old girl with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI). In the emergency room, a trans-abdominal sonography revealed an ovarian cyst and renal agenesis, without any suspicion of vaginal obstruction. This led to a delay in the diagnosis of this uncommon anomaly. Finally, MRI findings confirmed the presence of OHVIRA syndrome. As the congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are present in almost one third of cases associated with genital malformations, urologists should carefully screen patients with rUTI. The patient underwent simultaneous laparoscopy and vaginoscopy, which was in our opinion the most appropriate therapeutic decision. In this article, we are also going to discuss the role of laparoscopy in the management of OHVIRA syndrome, as well as other surgical techniques described in the literature.

A Multi-System Approach to Investigate Different Forms of Delinquency in Female Adolescents at Risk: Family, School, and Peers.

The delinquency of female adolescents at risk has increased conspicuously, much to the concern of human service and public health practitioners. Nevertheless, prior findings of pertinent research have commonly been based on samples of male or gender-mixed participants, especially general youths in the community. These cannot adequately explicate the impacts of different contextual systems on at-risk female adolescents, who are, in fact, more vulnerable to developing delinquency. Based on cross-sectional data collected from a sample of 236 at-risk female adolescents with the help of a large social work organization, the present study investigated and compared the effects of family, school, and peer systems on different forms of delinquency among at-risk female adolescents. The results show that positive family functioning, constructive school experiences, and deviant peer influence were predictive of both self-destructive and other-destructive delinquency in at-risk adolescent girls, respectively, but the effects were significantly different depending on which contextual systems influenced what forms of delinquency. Furthermore, the relationships between positive family functioning and both forms of delinquency were significantly mediated by the effects of constructive school experiences and deviant peer influence, giving support to the distal role of family and the proximal functions of school and peers in adolescence. Implications for policy prevention and interventions to strengthen the contextual supports in different social systems to help female adolescents at risk are discussed.

Health Providers' Response to Female Adolescent Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Demand Side Barriers in the Utilization of Support Services in Urban Low-Income Communities of Nigeria.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are often hindered in their quest to access quality healthcare. This has a significant effect towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal SDG Target 3.7. to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This study is focused on identifying some of the demand side barriers in accessing health care services, particularly among young girls who are survivors of SGBV within intimate relationships in poor urban areas in Nigeria. The study used an ethnographic approach to solicit information from health providers, adolescents, and young women (AYW) in 10 low-income communities in two major cities in Nigeria, Ibadan and Lagos. Findings showed that there are structural limitations within the primary health care (PHC) system that posed a great challenge for survivors of SGBV to access services. Some of these include non-existing counseling services, a lack of rehabilitation centers, poor referral, and a lack of training for health providers in handling survivors of SGBV. There is also a lack of skills among health service providers that have negative influence on support services to survivors of SGBV. On the demand side, poor knowledge of possible health seeking pathways, a lack of education, and social support are barriers to accessing appropriate services among adolescent and young SGBV survivors. The study concluded that integrated services at the PHC level should include adequate and timely treatment for survivors of SGBV and targeted intervention to upscale skills and knowledge of health care providers.

Anemia in female adolescents at Karanganyar regency: A cross-sectional study associated with polymorphism of duodenal cytochrome B gene and daily consumptions of fruits and vegetables.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anemia in female adolescents increases every year. A duodenal Cytochrome B (CYBRD1) enzyme is involved in the regulation of iron metabolism. G797A gene polymorphism of the CYBRD1 reduces nonheme iron transport into the enterocytes, which was mediated by the divalent metal transporter 1 protein. Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables has been recommended for the prevention of non- communicable diseases, including anemia. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the association of CYBRD1 polymorphism and daily consumption of fruits and vegetables with anemia in female adolescents in the Karanganyar regency. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 233 female students in 6 senior and vocational high schools in Karanganyar regency, which were selected using purposive sampling. Data on fruit and vegetable consumption were collected using Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Polymorphism of the G797A CYBRD1 gene was determined using the amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction. All collected data were analyzed using chi-square and multiple logistic regression tests with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Anemia was found in 13.73% of female students. Inadequate intakes of fruits and vegetables were found in 63.09 and 51.07% of female students, respectively. The AA genotype (OR = 5.779; 95%CI: 0.974-34.289; p = 0.053), inadequate fruit consumption (OR = 1.497; 95%CI: 0.603-3.718; p = 0.133), and inadequate vegetable consumption (OR = 11.99; 95%CI: 3.457-41.586; p < 0.001) increased higher risk of anemia, compared with their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: G797A CYBRD1 gene polymorphism and daily consumption of vegetables increase the risk of anemia but not for daily consumption of fruits in female adolescents in the Karanganyar regency.

Determinants of early sexual initiation among female adolescents in Bangladesh: evidence from a countrywide cross-sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: Early sexual initiation (ESI), defined as sexual activity that begins before 15 or 18 years of age, is one of the risky sexual behaviours that has been linked to increased likelihood of adverse consequences, such as sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. However, to date, there are no studies investigating the prevalence and factors influencing ESI among adolescent females (aged 10-19 years) in Bangladesh. Thus, this study aimed to identify the potential determinants of ESI among adolescent females in Bangladesh based on data that are representative of the country. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Based on the availability of the data, the analysis included a weighted sample of 2051 adolescent females aged 15-19 years from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2017/18. Initial selection of predictor variables was based on the bivariate analysis using the Chi-squared test. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling were performed to measure the crude and adjusted effect of the selected predictor variables on ESI using the odds ratio (OR). The elasticity of the effects was calculated by their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Approximately 22% and 85% of female adolescents experienced ESI before the age of 15 and 18 years, respectively. Findings revealed that illiteracy (adjusted OR [AOR]: 3.61, 95% CI: 1.82-7.18), primary education (AOR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.60-2.69), working status (AOR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.98-1.60), living in Chittagong (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27-0.79), living in Sylhet (AOR: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.08-0.56), reading newspapers (AOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40-1.01), earlier marriage preference (AOR: 3.30, 95% CI: 2.31-4.71) and later marriage preference (AOR: 4.10, 95% CI: 3.01-5.59) were significantly linked with ESI before the age of 15 years. ESI before the age of 18 years was significantly association with primary education (AOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.01-2.13), religion (AOR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32-0.94), female household head (AOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.17-3.19), living in Rajshahi (AOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 0.95-4.08), being in the 'poorest' wealth category (AOR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.45-4.07), being in the 'poorer' wealth category (AOR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.06-2.72), being in the 'middle' wealth category (AOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.12-2.77), being in the 'richer' wealth category (AOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.02-2.44), earlier marriage preference (AOR: 15.71, 95% CI: 9.09-27.14), later marriage preference (AOR: 12.62, 95% CI: 8.82-18.06) and heard about family planning (AOR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.47-1.04). CONCLUSIONS: In Bangladesh, the prevalence of ESI among female adolescents is a public health concern. Due to the detrimental impact of ESI on the well-being of adolescents, it is crucial that policymakers consider the factors influencing ESI that have been identified in this study when designing health strategies. The findings from this study will help the development of evidence-based effective initiatives by policymakers in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organisations.

Sex for food: a transactional sex reaction to the COVID-19-induced rise in the prevalence of hunger among in-school female adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Introduction: COVID-19 has doubled the proportion of people with acute hunger globally and Nigeria is categorized as having a "severe" form of hunger. Vulnerable groups responding more to hunger stressors include the female adolescents who transact sex for both survival and luxury purposes. This study assessed the engagement in transactional sex to obtain food among female adolescents in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: this descriptive cross-sectional research was conducted among 668 in-school female adolescents that were selected through a multistage sampling method. Data were collected with a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Food security was assessed using a standard tool while engagement in transactional sex was elicited through self-report. Data analysis was done using Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 25. Logistic regression was used to find factors associated with transactional sex. P< 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: the mean age of the respondents was 15.18±1.35 years. More than two-fifths (41.5%) were staying in households without food security. Less than one-fifth (15.3%) were engaging in transactional sex. Having emotional stress (OR = 4.33; 95 CI: 1.37-13.63), mother´s education (OR =0.163; 95% CI: 0.057- 0.461), having sexual partner (OR = 0.132; 95% CI: 0.047-0.370 and missing classes (OR 3.35, 95% CI: 1.084-10.331) were significant predictors of engaging in transactional sex among female adolescents. Conclusion: transactional sex is commoner among female adolescents who were missing classes, had sexual partners, and were emotionally stressed. There is a need for intervention programs to protect the female adolescent, delay sexual debut and improve academic performance among them.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Female Secondary School Students in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study measured the prevalence and potential risk factors of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) among female secondary school students in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2023. A total of 400 female secondary school students in Al-Ahsa were recruited through multistage stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected by distributing a self-administered questionnaire among students. A chi-squared test was performed to compare categorical variables. The associations between IGD, depression, and anxiety scores were determined using the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Among the total sample, 282 were classified as "gamers" and included in our analysis. The prevalence of IGD was found to be 19%. We also found a statistically significant and moderately positive correlation between IGD and anxiety and depression scores. Spending more than four hours daily playing video games, starting to play video games at less than seven years of age, having depression, having anxiety, and playing an online game were found to be potential risk factors for IGD. CONCLUSION: IGD among female adolescent students in Al-Ahsa is a public health concern that requires attention from the concerned parties. Health education projects on IGD, its risk factors, and its consequences should be designed for adolescents and their families.

Perceptions and acceptability of HPV vaccination among parents of female adolescents 9-14 in China: A cross-sectional survey based on the theory of planned behavior.

HPV vaccine uptake remains low in China, especially among girls. Recently, China has initiated a pilot program on HPV immunization for girls 9-14. From November to December 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted among parents of girls 9-14 in China through a web-based anonymous online questionnaire survey. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was used to analyze parental acceptability. Hierarchical regression analysis and structural equation modeling were to determine associated factors. A total of 5623 participants were included in the analysis. 21.2% girls had received HPV vaccine, and 94.3% parents intended to receive vaccination for their daughters, the Kappa values between them was -0.016. 31.9% of vaccinated mothers had received HPV vaccine for their daughters, vaccination history had a positive impact on behavior (ß = 0.048). Attitude (ß = 0.186), subjective norms (ß = 0.148) and perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.648) had a positive impact on intention. Vaccination intention mediated the relationships between attitude (ß = 0.044), subjective norms (ß = 0.035), and perceived behavioral control (ß = 0.154) with behavior. There is a gap between vaccination intention and behavior in parents of girls 9-14. Perceived behavior control had a strong association on HPV vaccination behavior.

Gaming among female adolescents: profiling and psychopathological characteristics in the Indian context.

Objectives: Gaming is a predominant leisure time activity among adolescents, and the literature suggests that unrestrained gaming behavior might lead to gaming disorder. ICD-11 and DSM-5 have recognized gaming disorder as a psychiatric condition and grouped it under the behavioral addiction category. Research on gaming behavior and addiction is largely based on data from the male population, and problematic gaming has largely been understood from the male perspective. In this study, we are attempting to bridge the existing lacuna in the literature by exploring gaming behavior, gaming disorder, and its related psychopathological characteristics among female adolescents in India. Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 707 female adolescent participants who were contacted through schools and academic institutes in a city in Southern India. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, and data were administered using the mixed modality of online and offline data collection. The participants filled out the following set of questionnaires: socio-demographic sheet, Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short-Form (IGDS9-SF), Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Brief sensation-seeking scale (BSSS-8). The data gathered from the participants were then statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Results: The descriptive statistics revealed that 0.8% of the sample (i.e., five participants out of 707) obtained scores meeting gaming addiction criteria. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between all the psychological variables with total IGD scale scores (p < 0.05). Total SDQ, total BSSS-8, and domain scores of SDQ, such as emotional symptoms, conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems, were positively correlated, whereas total Rosenberg scores and domain scores of prosocial behaviors of SDQ were negatively correlated. The Mann-Whitney U-test was employed to compare "with gaming disorder" and "without gaming disorder" categories of female participants. Comparing these two groups revealed significant differences in emotional symptoms, conduct, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problem, and self-esteem scale scores. Furthermore, quantile regression was computed, showing that conduct, peer problem, and self-esteem displayed trend-level prediction for gaming disorder. Conclusion: Female adolescents prone to gaming addiction can be identified through psychopathological characteristics of conduct, peer problem, and low self-esteem. This understanding can be useful in developing a theoretical model focusing on early screening and preventive strategies for at-risk female adolescents.

Diversity of Profiles and Coping Among Adolescent Girl Victims of Sexual Dating Violence.

Sexual dating violence (DV) is common among female adolescents, and victims may experience other forms of DV (physical, psychological, and cyberviolence) and report a history of child sexual abuse (CSA). Heterogeneity of these victimization experiences could influence how adolescent girls' cope. We aimed to identify distinct profiles of victimization experiences among adolescent girls who reported sexual DV and to explore if these profiles were associated to their coping strategies. Of an initial sample of 1,300 female adolescents who completed online questionnaires, 835 (Mage = 16.8 years) reported at least one experience of sexual DV and were included in the analyses. Hierarchical classification with the Two Step analysis revealed four distinct profiles of victimization. A first cluster named Moderate CSA & Cyber-sexual DV (21.4%) is characterized by moderate percentage of all forms of victimization. The second cluster CSA & DV excluding cyber-sexual DV (34.4%) included victims of traditional DV, moderate rates of CSA and no experience of cyber-sexual DV. A third cluster CSA & DV Co-occurrence (20.6%) regrouped victims who have experienced different forms of DV in co-occurrence and CSA. Finally, the fourth cluster, named No CSA & DV Co-occurrence (23.6%) involved victims who have experienced different forms of DV in co-occurrence, but did not report a history of CSA. Analyses revealed significant differences between the profiles on the use of avoidance coping, in their perceived social support, and on help-seeking strategies deployed toward a partner and a health professional. These findings offer cues for prevention and intervention efforts for victimized female adolescents.

Association of malnutrition and main-meal- and snack-predominant intake among female adolescent students in boarding schools in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia.

Background: Balanced dietary intake is needed to prevent malnutrition which is one of the nutritional problems faced by adolescents. Aim: To study the association between predominant dietary intake and nutritional status of female adolescent students in boarding schools in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 323 female adolescent students residing full-time in eight boarding schools in Tasikmalaya, West Java. Students' dietary intake was measured using the 3-non-consecutive-day 24-h recall method. The association between the predominant dietary intake and nutritional status was evaluated using binary logistic regression. Results: Of the 323 students, 59 (18.3%) were overweight/obese (OW/OB) and 102 (31.6%) had stunted growth. The predominant dietary intake in the OW/OB group was snacks, whereas, in the stunted group, it was main meals. Snack-predominant dietary intake was a risk factor for overweight and obesity (p = 0.008; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.276; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.244-4.164), but it was a protective factor against stunting (p = 0.008; AOR: 0.521; 95% CI: 0.322-0.842). Conclusion: The predominance of main meals and snacks as components of total dietary intake affected the nutritional status of female adolescent students living in boarding schools. Therefore, the dietary intake interventions should tailor and design the nutritional contents of main meals and snacks according to the nutritional status of the targeted individuals.

Factors associated with pregnancy and induced abortion among street-involved female adolescents in two Nigerian urban cities: a mixed-method study.

OBJECTIVES: This study determined the correlates of unwanted pregnancy and induced abortion among sexually active female street-involved adolescents (SIAs) aged 10-19 years in two urban cities in South-west, Nigeria. METHODS: The data for this study were extracted from a larger mixed-method survey dataset on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of 1505 street-involved young people aged 10 to 24 years. For the quantitative data, the explanatory variables were age, history of school attendance, employment status, religion, living arrangement and city of residence. The study outcomes were a history of pregnancy and a history of induced abortion of last pregnancy. Binomial regression analysis was performed to determine the association between the explanatory and outcome variables. For the qualitative data generated through focus group discussions and in-depth-interviews, inductive and deductive approaches were used in conducting a thematic analysis to explore the perspectives and experiences of SIA on pregnancy and induced abortion. RESULTS: Of the 424 female SIAs, 270 (63.7%) reported having had sex. Sixty-four (23.7%) respondents had a history of pregnancy, of which 38 (59.4%) gave a history of induced abortion of the last pregnancy. A history of school attendance significantly reduced the likelihood of being pregnant (AOR: 0.42, 95% C.I: 0.19-0.91), while 15-19-years-old SIAs who were pregnant were significantly less likely to abort (AOR: 0.13, 95% C.I: 0.02-0.77). Qualitative reports indicated that unintended pregnancy and induced abortion was a common experience among the sexually active SIAs. Many participants were aware of the methods of, and places to induce abortion. CONCLUSION: A large proportion of SIAs are sexually active with a high incidence of unintended pregnancy and a high rate of unsafe abortion. Access of female SIAs to education can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. Attention needs to be paid to how SIAs can have access to contraception.