A multilevel analysis of prevalence and factors associated with female child marriage in Nigeria using the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey data.

BACKGROUND: Globally, there has been a decline in female child marriage (FCM) from 1 in 4 girls married a decade ago to approximately 1 in 5 currently. However, this decline is not homogenous because some regions are still experiencing a high prevalence of FCM. As such, the United Nations reiterated the need for concentrated efforts towards ending FCM to avoid more than 120 million girls getting married before their eighteenth birthday by 2030. Following this, we examined the prevalence and factors associated with FCM in Nigeria using multi-level analysis. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from the women's file of the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) conducted in 2018. A sample of 4143 young women aged 20-24 was included in the study. Our analysis involved descriptive, chi-square (χ2) and multi-level analyses. Results were presented in percentages, frequencies, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The prevalence of FCM in 2018 was 65.30%. Young Muslim women aged 20-24 [aOR = 1.40; 95% CI (4.73-7.52)], those with parity between one and two [aOR = 5.96, 95% CI 4.73-7.52], those residing in North East [aOR = 1.55; 95% CI (1.19-2.10)] and North West [aOR = 1.59; 95% CI (1.18-2.16)] had a higher odd of practicing FCM respondents with secondary education and above [aOR = 0.36; 95% CI (0.29-0.46)], those within the richer wealth index [aOR = 0.35; 95% CI (0.23-0.54)] and young women living in communities with high literacy level [aOR = 0.74; 95% CI (0.59-0.92)] were less likely to get married before age 18 years. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that FCM is high in Nigeria. Formal education, being rich and living in communities with high literacy levels were some protective factors that can be strengthened to ensure that FCM is reduced or eliminated in Nigeria. On the other hand, residing in North-East or North-West and having children between one and two were some prevailing factors that exacerbated the odds of experiencing FCM in Nigeria. Therefore, attention should be channelled towards mitigating these prevailing negative factors.

Gender Discrimination and Excess Female Under-5 Mortality in India: A New Perspective Using Mixed-Sex Twins.

Son preference has been linked to excess female under-5 mortality in India, and considerable literature has explored whether parents invest more resources in sons relative to daughters-which we refer to as explicit discrimination-leading to girls' poorer health status and, consequently, higher mortality. However, this literature has not adequately controlled for the implicit discrimination processes that sort girls into different types of families (e.g., larger) and at earlier parities. To better address the endogeneity associated with implicit discrimination processes, we explore the association between child sex and postneonatal under-5 mortality using a sample of mixed-sex twins from four waves of the Indian National Family Health Survey. Mixed-sex twins provide a natural experiment that exogenously assigns a boy and a girl to families at the same time, thus controlling for selectivity into having an unwanted female child. We document a sizable impact of explicit discrimination on girls' excess mortality in India, particularly compared with a placebo analysis in sub-Saharan Africa, where girls have a survival advantage. We also show that explicit discrimination weakened for birth cohorts after the mid-1990s, especially in northern India, but further weakening has stalled since the mid-2000s, thus contributing to understandings of how the micro-processes underlying the female mortality disadvantage have changed over time.

Assessment of pre-natal and post-natal attitude and practice of family members towards the birth of a female child among people residing in district East, Karachi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pre-natal and post-natal attitude and practice of family members towards the birth of a female child among people residing in an urban area. METHODS: The cross-sectional attitude and practice study was conducted from May 2018 to November 2018 in Jamshed Town and Gulshan Town in district East of Karachi, and comprised randomly chosen participants. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire, and was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 400 subjects, 208(52%) were males, and 387(96.8%) were Muslims. The overall mean age was 46.13±14.75 years. Gender of the subject, relationship with the child, monthly household income and number of family members were significantly associated with consideration of abortion in case of a female foetus (p<0.05). Education of the mother and the number of sons were significantly associated with the reaction at the birth of the first female child (p<0.05), whereas age of the participant, education of the father, number of family members, number of sons and number of daughters were significantly associated with reaction at the birth of subsequent daughter (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Various demographic characteristics were significantly associated with pre-natal and post-natal attitude and practice of family members towards the birth of a female child.

Cloacal Malformation in Female Children: Outcome of Initial Management.

OBJECTIVE: To document our experience of initial management of Cloacal malformation in female patients. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery of the National Institute of Child Health Karachi from January 2010 to September 2018. Female patients with diagnosis of Cloacal malformation were included in this study. Data regarding the age at presentation, mode of presentation, clinical features, presence of hydrocolpos, and associated anomalies were noted. Surgical procedures performed in these patients and the outcomes were also documented. Data was analyzed on SPSS Version 20. RESULTS: Sixty females were included in the study. Age ranged from birth to three years with a median of four days. Patients admitted through emergency were 44 (73.33%) while 16 (26.66%) were admitted through outpatient clinic. Hydrocolpos was found in 15 (25.00%) patients. Five (8.33%) patients had massive abdominal distention and were presented with severe respiratory distress. Among them three had massive hydrocolpos, one patient had pneumoperitoneum secondary to Meckel's perforation and one patient was having massive colonic dilatation. Hydronephrosis and hydroureter were found in 14 (23.33%) patients, while dilated bladder was found in three (5.00%) patients. After optimization of patients, bowel diversion was done as transverse colostomy in 39 (65.00%) patients, high sigmoid colostomy in 17(28.33%) patients while ileostomy was done in three (5.00%) patients. All patients with hydrocolpos had tube vaginostomy. None of the patients required bladder diversion and urinary tract dilatations were gradually subsided in nine patients in the post-operative period. Associated anomalies were found in 22(36.66%) of cases predominantly of sacral origin. Operative complications were found in 18(30.00%) patients, including stoma site in infection in 12(20.00%) patients, vaginal tube dislodgement in two patients, wrong placement of tube in one patient and vaginostomy stenosis in one case. While bowel stoma retraction occurred in four patients, prolapsed was found in three patients. Renal failure occurred in one patient. In total, 37(61.00%) patients had smooth recovery, 18(30.00%) patients had some complications, while Five (8.33%) patients were expired due to sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of cloacal malformations present in neonatal life. Initial management is an important step in dealing with these patients. Care must be taken during the abdominal exploration regarding drainage of hydrocolpos and appropriate placement of bowel stoma.

[Female child sexual abuse]. / Leánygyermekek szexuális bántalmazása.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The prevalence of child sexual abuse is 12-13% worldwide (18% by girls, 8% by boys). The exact knowledge of sexual abuse and the spread of the adequate medical diagnosis is an essential medical, social and national requirement. In our present study we examine the medical diagnosis of female child sexual abuse. METHOD: Selective literature research in the available international and domestic databases. RESULTS: Majority of children assessed for suspected sexual abuse have normal genital and anal findings. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of child sexual abuse is a chronic multiple event, caused by a family member. The task of the medical staff is difficult and various, due to the diagnostic challenges of child sexual abuse. The difficulties of the medical diagnosis, evaluation and therapy, the complexity of the legal proceedings and prosecution, the isolation of the profession and the victim and the issue treated like a taboo subject often lead to failure. CONCLUSION: The physicians dealing with children have suboptimal knowledge of child sexual abuse, the characteristics of victims and perpetretors, the medical diagnosis and therapy of sexual abuse and the rehabilitation of victims. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(23): 910-917.

Women who sexually offend display three main offense styles: a reexamination of the descriptive model of female sexual offending.

This study examined a theory constructed to describe the offense process of women who sexually offend-the Descriptive Model of Female Sexual Offending (DMFSO). In particular, this report sets out to establish whether the original three pathways (or offending styles) identified within United Kingdom convicted female sexual offenders and described within the DMFSO (i.e., Explicit-Approach, Directed-Avoidant, Implicit-Disorganized) were applicable to a small sample (N = 36) of North American women convicted of sexual offending. Two independent raters examined the offense narratives of the sample and-using the DMFSO-coded each script according to whether it fitted one of the three original pathways. Results suggested that the three existing pathways of the DMFSO represented a reasonable description of offense pathways for a sample of North American women convicted of sexual offending. No new pathways were identified. A new "Offense Pathway Checklist" devised to aid raters' decision making is described and future research and treatment implications explored.

"It was wrapped in a kind of normalcy": The lived experience and consequences in adulthood of survivors of female child sexual abuse.

BACKGROUND: Survivors' surveys on the frequency of sexual offenses committed by women indicated a prevalence rate of 9.9 % to 11.6 %. Nevertheless, only a few studies have explored the long-term consequences of abuse on survivors. OBJECTIVES: Examine the lived experiences and the long-term consequences of child sexual abuse committed by women. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen adult participants who experienced child sexual abuse conducted by female offenders participated in the study. METHODS: The Interpretive Phenomenological Approach was applied to semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Three central themes emerged: types of abuse, characteristics of the perpetrator, and consequences of abuse. Most survivors experienced direct or indirect forms of sexual abuse committed by their mothers. In most cases, the offenders masked their abuse in caregiving, disciplinary or playful behavior. The survivors perceived their mothers as narcissistic, controlling, hostile, and having tremendous difficulties with separation. The survivors reported the need to engage in extensive negative long-lasting psychopathologies, which they attributed partly to having been invalidated and silenced by society. Many participants expressed fears of re-enacting the survivor or perpetrator role, which has led to difficulties in various relationships. They described an altered perception of their bodies as shameful and repulsive, manifesting in self-harm, eating disorders, and the elimination of signs of femininity. CONCLUSION: This complex form of sexual abuse hampers the internalization and the construction of positive feminine, masculine, and parental identities.

Aicardi syndrome in a Nigerian female child: A case report and literature review of a rare neuro-developmental disorder from North-Western Nigeria.

Aicardi syndrome is a very rare neurodevelopmental disorder, inherited as an X-linked dominant condition with a triad of infantile spasm, partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, and chorio-retinal "lacunae." We report a case of a female infant with the classical triad of Aicardi syndrome. A female infant presented to the Paediatric Neurology Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre Birnin-Kebbi, North-western Nigeria, at the age of two months with complaints of recurrent afebrile convulsions typical for infantile spasms. The patient was delivered at term with normal Apgar scores and anthropometry. Examination revealed an infant with no dysmorphic features and normal systemic examination. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain however, showed complete agenesis of the corpus callosum and dilatation of the posterior horn of the lateral and third ventricles. Fundoscopy showed multiple yellowish spots along the vascular arcades in the right eye. The left eye had a one-disc diameter lacuna in the superior nasal quadrant adjacent to the optic disc with multiple yellowish spots. A diagnosis of Aicardi syndrome was made. The child was placed on oral phenobarbital and followed up. At the age of 18 months, the child can only sit without support, hold an object in each hand, smile socially, and babble. The frequency of the seizures had also reduced from >100 episodes per day to 2-3 episodes per day, but the child had developed right-sided spastic hemiparesis. The patient was commenced on physiotherapy and the anti-epileptic drugs were maintained. We recommend clinicians consider Aicardi syndrome in the differential diagnosis of any child presenting with infantile spasms.

Bilateral single system ectopic ureters with bilateral urethral insertion and horseshoes kidneys in a female child.

A 14-months old female child was diagnosed with bilateral single system ectopic ureters opening into the urethra, with small bladder capacity, horseshoes kidneys, and bilateral hydronephrosis, presenting recurrent febrile UTI accompanied by continuous incontinence and elevated renal function. Early bilateral re-implantation of the ureters (modified Lich-Gregoir) was done in one setting, resulting jn no recurring febrile UTIs and continuous wetting, improving renal function parameter, competent bladder neck, and 10 folds increased in bladder capacity after 1-year follow up. We showed that earlier treatment enables patient to preserve both renal and bladder function without involving complex reconstructive surgery.

Trauma, Aggression, and Post Conflict Perpetration of Community Violence in Female Former Child Soldiers-A Study in Eastern DR Congo.

OBJECTIVE: Former combatants are exposed to multiple traumatic stressors during conflict situations and usually participate in perpetration of violence. Ongoing perpetration of violence in post conflict areas, linked to mental health problems and appetitive aggression, destabilises peace keeping efforts. The aim of this study is to investigate lifetime exposure to violence and the relationship between this exposure and mental health and current violent behaviour in a sample of female former child soldiers with a history of perpetration of violence in Eastern DR Congo. METHODS: 98 female former child soldiers who had been abducted and forcibly recruited during the M23 insurgency (2012-2014) were assessed for lifetime exposure to trauma including perpetration of violence, clinical outcomes (PTSD and appetitive aggression), and current violent behaviour. RESULTS: Female former child soldiers had been exposed to extremely high levels of trauma including perpetration of violence and presented with high levels of mental health problems. Linear regression models showed that current violent behaviour was predicted by both PTSD and appetitive aggression. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma exposure predicts ongoing perpetration of violence post conflict via the resulting mental health problems. The findings imply that if PTSD and appetitive aggression symptoms are successfully treated, ongoing violent behaviour in the community post conflict will also decrease.

The treatment of posttraumatic stress symptoms and aggression in female former child soldiers using adapted Narrative Exposure therapy - a RCT in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

OBJECTIVE: Women and girls make up a sizeable proportion of armed groups in conflict regions. However, compared to males, research into the mental health of female combatants is limited and there have been no investigations into treatments. Psychological sequalae amongst predominantly male former combatants most prominently include PTSD and appetitive aggression indicating a need for trauma-focused therapy that also addresses violent behaviour with additional components that strengthen social behaviour and inclusion. The aim of this study is to research the effectiveness of a revised adaptation of Narrative Exposure Therapy in a sample of female former child soldiers. METHODS: 92 female former child soldiers who had been forcibly recruited during the M23 insurgency (2012-2014) in Eastern DRC who were found to have PTSD were randomised into groups receiving a version of Narrative Exposure Therapy adapted for offenders (FORNET) or treatment as usual. Clinical outcomes for PTSD, appetitive aggression and depression were assessed, as well as social outcomes (current violent behaviour, guilt and perceived social acknowledgement). RESULTS: High levels of trauma, historical perpetration of extreme violence and ongoing violent behaviour were found within this group. The intervention was found to be superior to treatment as usual at 3-4 month and 9 month follow up for all clinical and social endpoints. Moderate to large effect sizes were found for PTSD, aggression and depression. CONCLUSIONS: This study investigates the effectiveness of psychotherapy for former female child soldiers, and includes long term follow up. It demonstrates that FORNET combined with group therapy can effectively reduce mental health problems as well as ongoing acts of violence in female former child soldiers within post conflict communities. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02992561.

Eosinophilic panniculitis in a female child: An unusual presentation.

Eosinophilic panniculitis (EP) is characterized by prominent infiltration of subcutaneous fat with eosinophils. The etiology is diverse. This is not a disease but represents a reaction pattern that may occur in a variety of circumstances. The exact pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. We present the case of a 6-year-old girl child who was diagnosed with EP.

Impacto de la obesidad en la salud de la niña y de la adolescente

Existe evidencia científica que demuestra la asociación entre la obesidad del adulto con síndrome metabólico, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular y muerte prematura por infarto de miocardio y enfermedad cerebrovascular. También existe evidencia sobre el inicio de la aterosclerosis desde la niñez, sin embargo no está claramente conocido el impacto de la obesidad del niño y adolescente en la salud del joven y adulto y su asociación con la mayor morbilidad y mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles. Fue de nuestro interés realizar una revisión y análisis de la obesidad del niño y adolecente como factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de aterosclerosis, síndrome metabólico, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular y muerte prematura en la juventud y edad adulta. Conclusiones. Aunque no existe consenso para definir la obesidad en niños y adolescente existe una tendencia creciente en su prevalencia en las últimas décadas. La obesidad que se presenta en los primeros años de edad tiende a perpetuarse a lo largo de la vida. No existe consenso para definir síndrome metabólico en niños pero es necesario detectar y tratar individualmente los factores de riesgo. Existe asociación significativa con diabetes mellitus tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular y muerte por infarto de miocardio y enfermedad cerebrovascular en el adulto. La intervención desde los primeros años de vida sobre la obesidad y otros factores de riesgo disminuyen significativamente la ocurrencia de enfermedad cardiovascular en el adulto.

There is scientific evidence of the association between adult obesity and the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and premature death due to myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease. There is also evidence on the beginning of atherosclerosis in childhood, but the effect of childhood and adolescent obesity on young adults and adults it is not clearly defined as well as its association with higher morbidity and mortality by non communicable chronic diseases. It was our interest to review and analyze obesity in children and adolescents as a risk factor to develop atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and premature death in youth and adulthood. Conclusions: Despite no consensus to define obesity in children and adolescents there is a growing tendency to its prevalence in the last decades. The obesity that starts in early life tends to perpetuate. There is no consensus to define metabolic syndrome in children but it is necessary to detect and treat separately the risk factors. There exists significant association with type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and death due to myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease in the adult. Intervention on obesity and other risk factors that start early in life significantly decreases the occurrence of adult cardiovascular disease.

Application of popular scientific brochure with pictures in health education on infant vulvovaginitis / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective The study aims to assess the health education effects of popular scientific brochure with pictures on infant vulvovaginitis. Methods Parents of female child outpatients aged 0～5 years old with vulvovaginitis of our hospital were selected for health education, mainly about how to prevent vulvovaginitis. Popular scientific brochure with pictures was designed for use. Eighty six parents of female child patients aged 0～5 with vulvovaginitis were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group with 43 people in each group. In the control group, health brochures were issued and face-to-face guidance were carried out. In the observation group, popular scientific brochures with pictures were issued and faceto-face guidance were carried out Phone call investigations were done 4-8 weeks after issuing of education materials. Results Awareness rate, vulvovaginitis cure rate of their female child and satisfaction rate to education method of the observation group were significantly higher than the control group. Conclusions Health education guidance in form of popular scientific brochure with pictures can get more satisfactory effects.

Cytogenetics and Polygenic Factor Analysis of 364 Female Children with Short Stature / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the effect of chromosomal abnormality and polygenic inheritance factor in female children with short stature.Methods 1.Chromosome analysis:peripheral blood was drawn for 1 mL and cultured 72 h to analyze chromosome karyotype (Giemsa Banding ) of peripheral lymphocytes.2.Polygenic factor analysis:the children′s final height were estimated based on their parents average height,and analyzed the distribution characteristics of children′s final height and compared the estimate final height with the actual height.Results Eighty-three cases out of the 364 female children with short stature were chromosomal abnormality(22.80%).Among the 83 cases,the 45,XO and 46,X,i(Xq) occupied 70%.The distribution of children target height shifted left,and the target height of 76 cases was lower than 2 standard deviation (-2 s)and the consistency of target height and actual height reached 20.88%.The target height of 7 cases was lower than 2 standard deviation in those whose chromosome turned out to be abnormal,and the consistency of target height and actual height was 8.43%.Conclusions Chromosomal abnormality is one of the most important etiologic agents causing short stature in female children, and polygenic inheritance is another important etiologic agent.

The Distribution of Polymorphisms About Alcohol Metabolizing-related Genes in Female Child-bearing Ages / 环境与健康杂志

0.05). Conclusion The assumable reasons for the dominance of heterozygous ADH2 genotype were a relatively small size of samples or gene mutation etc,which needed further researches to be confirmed.The proportion of individuals carrying about "susceptible genotypes of alcohol_related diseases"in female child_bearing ages was more than one half (0.617),which called on the reinforce of the surveillance on and prevention of alcohol_related birth (ARBD).