Adolescent Community Research Articles

Efficacy of Topical Niacinamide on Skin Hydration of Adolescents with Acne Vulgaris: An Experimental Study on the Adolescent Community in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder common in adolescents, often accompanied by dry, irritated skin. Topical niacinamide (vitamin B3) has shown potential in increasing skin hydration and reducing AV symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical niacinamide on skin hydration in adolescents with AV in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: This research is a randomized controlled experimental study involving 100 adolescents (14-19 years) with mild to moderate AV in Jakarta. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention group (receiving topical 4% niacinamide cream) and the control group (receiving placebo cream). The intervention was carried out for 8 weeks, and skin hydration was measured using a corneometer at baseline, week 4, and week 8. Data analysis was carried out using paired t-tests and independent t-tests. Results: There was a significant increase in skin hydration in the intervention group compared to the control group at week 4 (p < 0.001) and week 8 (p < 0.001). No significant side effects were reported. Conclusion: Topical niacinamide was effective in increasing skin hydration in adolescents with AV in Jakarta, Indonesia. This study supports the use of topical niacinamide as an adjunct therapy in the management of AV, especially in adolescents with dry, irritated skin.

Social Media Use and Internalizing Symptoms in Clinical and Community Adolescent Samples

In response to widespread concerns about social media's influence on adolescent mental health, most research has studied adolescents from the general population, overlooking clinical groups. To synthesize, quantify, and compare evidence on the association between social media use and internalizing symptoms in adolescent clinical and community samples. Peer-reviewed publications from MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Scopus (initially reviewed in May 2022 and updated in October 2023) and preprints from Europe PubMed Central (February 2023) published in English between 2007 and 2023. Two blinded reviewers initially identified 14 211 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies quantifying the association between social media use and internalizing symptoms, excluding experimental studies and randomized clinical trials. PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were followed, pooling data using a random-effects model and robust variance estimation. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Quality of Survey Studies in Psychology Checklist. Articles were included if they reported at least 1 quantitative measure of social media use (time spent, active vs passive use, activity, content, user perception, and other) and internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression, or both). The 143 studies reviewed included 1 094 890 adolescents and 886 effect sizes, 11% of which examined clinical samples. In these samples, a positive and significant meta-correlation was found between social media use and internalizing symptoms, both for time spent (n = 2893; r, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.15; P = .03; I2, 57.83) and user engagement (n = 859; r, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.15; P = .002; I2, 82.67). These associations mirrored those in community samples. The findings in this study highlight a lack of research on clinical populations, a critical gap considering public concerns about the increase in adolescent mental health symptoms at clinical levels. This paucity of evidence not only restricts the generalizability of existing research but also hinders our ability to evaluate and compare the link between social media use and mental health in clinical vs nonclinical populations.

Long-Term Effects of Tea Consumption Habits on Cardiovascular Performance of Adolescent Population: An Observational Study of Adolescent Community in Jakarta, Indonesia

Background: Tea is a popular drink that is widely consumed in Indonesia. Some studies show the potential benefits of tea on cardiovascular health, but evidence regarding long-term effects in adolescents is limited. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between tea consumption habits and cardiovascular performance in the adolescent population in Jakarta. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study involved 1,500 adolescents aged 15-18 years in Jakarta. Data on tea consumption habits was collected through a structured questionnaire, while cardiovascular performance was measured through blood pressure tests, body mass index (BMI), and treadmill tests. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards analyzes were used to identify the association between habitual tea consumption and cardiovascular events over a 5-year period. Results: The results showed that regular tea consumption (≥3 cups/week) was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.48-0.88) and an increase in cardiovascular functional capacity as measured by treadmill testing (HR 0 .72; 95% CI 0.55-0.94). Conclusion: The habit of regular tea consumption among adolescents in Jakarta is associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and improved cardiovascular performance. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the mechanisms underlying tea's protective effects.

Associations between polygenic risk scores for cardiometabolic phenotypes and adolescent depression and body dissatisfaction.

Adolescents with elevated body mass index (BMI) are at an increased risk for depression and body dissatisfaction. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an established risk factor for depression. However, shared genetic risk between cardiometabolic conditions and mental health outcomes remains understudied in youth. The current study examined associations between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for BMI and T2D, and symptoms of depression and body dissatisfaction, in a sample of 827 community adolescents (Mage = 13.63, SDage = 1.01; 76% girls). BMI, depressive symptoms, and body dissatisfaction were assessed using validated self-report questionnaires. BMI-PRS was associated with phenotypic BMI (β = 0.24, p < 0.001) and body dissatisfaction (β = 0.17, p < 0.001), but not with depressive symptoms. The association between BMI-PRS and body dissatisfaction was significantly mediated by BMI (indirect effect = 0.10, CI [0.07-0.13]). T2D-PRS was not associated with depression or body dissatisfaction. The results suggest phenotypic BMI may largely explain the association between genetic risk for elevated BMI and body dissatisfaction in adolescents. Further research on age-specific genetic effects is needed, as summary statistics from adult discovery samples may have limited utility in youth. The association between genetic risk for elevated BMI and body dissatisfaction in adolescents may be largely explained by phenotypic BMI, indicating a potential pathway through which genetic predisposition influences body image perception. Furthermore, age-specific genetic research is needed to understand the unique influences on health outcomes during adolescence. By identifying BMI as a potential mediator in the association between genetic risk for elevated BMI and body dissatisfaction, the current findings offer insights that could inform interventions targeting body image concerns and mental health in this population.

Innovative use of Shona ideophones within an adolescent community of practice

Abstract This paper focuses on a nonnormative linguistic practice involving ideophones (nyaudzosingwi) among a Shona-speaking adolescent community of practice in urban Zimbabwe. Ideophones occupy a special position in Shona’s ethnolinguistic repertoire; they are culturally and linguistically salient, and highlighted in Shona classroom instruction. The perspective of Zimbabwe’s educational establishment is at odds with the on-the-ground situation, in which ideophones are exclusively the purview of older rural speakers. This dynamic puts young Shona speakers in a difficult situation: to succeed educationally, one is required to use ideophones, yet they are not a natural part of youth language. To balance these competing demands, young Shona speakers have developed a new use around ideophones that highlights the incongruity of balancing between being a “good Shona student” (fluency in “deep” Shona that eschews English influence) and a modern Shona subject (proficiency in English, upwardly socially mobile) by using them for unserious, comedic effect, where the humor deliberately derives from the idiosyncrasy of a young Shona speaker using ideophones. We also find a reduction in the morphosyntactic environments in which ideophones appear, in that they are always required to be introduced by a verbal element, and always the active form -ti, never the passive form -nzi.

Analysis of the Impact of Coffee Consumption on Adolescent Cardiovascular Performance: An Observational Study in the Adolescent Community in Jakarta, Indonesia

Introduction: Coffee is a popular drink among adolescents. However, its effect on cardiovascular performance in this population remains unclear. This study aims to analyze the relationship between coffee consumption and cardiovascular performance in adolescents in Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: Cross-sectional observational research was conducted on 350 adolescents aged 15-18 years in Jakarta. Coffee consumption data was collected through a structured questionnaire, while cardiovascular performance was assessed through measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and body mass index (BMI). Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between coffee consumption and cardiovascular performance, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Results: The results of this study provide evidence that excessive coffee consumption (&gt;2 cups/day) can increase blood pressure and resting heart rate in adolescents. However, moderate coffee consumption (1-2 cups/day) does not appear to have a significant negative impact on cardiovascular performance. Conclusion: Excessive coffee consumption (&gt;2 cups/day) has a significant negative impact on adolescents' cardiovascular performance, namely increasing blood pressure and resting heart rate. However, further research is needed to understand the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying this relationship.

The Effect of Exercise on Adolescent Lung Function Performance: An Observational Study in the Adolescent Community in Jakarta, Indonesia

Optimal lung function is a crucial health indicator, especially in adolescents who are in the growth and development phase. Exercise is known to have a positive impact on lung function, but research evidence on adolescents in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, is still limited. This study aims to examine the effect of exercise on the lung function performance of adolescents in Jakarta, considering the urban context with high levels of air pollution. This cross-sectional observational study involved 350 adolescents aged 12-18 years in Jakarta, randomly selected from various schools. Data collection included a physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ short version), anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist circumference), and spirometry to assess lung function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify associations between exercise and lung function parameters, with adjustment for confounding factors. The results showed that physically active adolescents had significantly higher FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC values compared to less active adolescents (p &lt; 0.001). These results remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and smoking status. There was no significant relationship between age and lung function parameters. Adolescent boys have higher FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC values than girls. Height and weight are positively correlated with FEV1 and FVC. Exercise has a significant positive effect on the lung function performance of adolescents in Jakarta. These findings support the importance of promoting physical activity in adolescents to improve lung health, especially in urban environments with exposure to air pollution. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the long-term effects of exercise on adolescent lung function.

Study of the Role of Ultra-Processed Food (UPF) on the Risk of Obesity in Adolescents: An Observational Study in the Adolescent Community in Jambi City, Indonesia

Obesity in adolescents is an increasingly worrying global health problem. Unhealthy eating patterns, especially consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), are thought to be one of the main risk factors. This study aims to examine the relationship between UPF consumption and the risk of obesity in adolescents in Jambi City, Indonesia. Cross-sectional observational research was conducted on 350 adolescents aged 13-18 years in Jambi City. UPF consumption data was collected using the NOVA questionnaire, while anthropometric data (height, weight) was measured directly. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between UPF consumption and the risk of obesity, with adjustment for potential confounding variables such as gender, age, and socio-economic status. The results showed that high UPF consumption (above the median 4.2 servings/day) significantly increased the risk of obesity in adolescents in Jambi City (OR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.65-4.98; p &lt; 0.001). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for confounding variables. No significant relationship was found between gender, age, and socioeconomic status with the risk of obesity. High UPF consumption is an independent risk factor for the incidence of obesity in adolescents in Jambi City. Comprehensive public health interventions are needed to reduce UPF consumption and promote healthy eating patterns in adolescents.

Adverse Childhood Experience among Adolescents in the Ethnic Minorities of Lang Son Province

The objective of this paper was to investigate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and associated factors among adolescents of the ethnic minorities of Lang Son province. This cross-sectional research was carried out in Lang Son province. A total of 845 students in boarding schools participated in the study. Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE-Q) was used to measure ACEs. Multivariate Logistic Regression was performed to identify associated factors with ACEs. Emotional abuse is the most common ACE, experienced by 21.9% of the participants, followed by emotional neglect at 14.4% and parental divorce at 11%. Overall, 48.7% experienced ACEs in their lifetime. The frequency of parental visits every two months significantly increases the likelihood of adverse experiences (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.43-4.05, p-value = 0.0009), and living in households with fewer than ten people versus ten or more significantly decreases the risk (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.33-0.70, p-value &lt; 0.0001). Additionally, internet use for 4 hours/day (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15-0.38, p-value &lt; 0.01), 5 hours/day (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13-0.51, p-value &lt; 0.01), and six or more hours/day (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.11-0.43, p-value &lt; 0.01) are also significantly associated with lower odds of adverse experiences, suggesting protective effects of extended daily internet use against adverse childhood experiences. This study underscores a significant prevalence of ACEs among adolescents in ethnic minority communities in Lang Son province, pointing to an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges.

Impact of a Nyakaza Move-for-Health Intervention Programme among Adolescents in a Resource-Constrained South African Community

Adolescents in resource-constrained environments face increasing sedentary lifestyles and obesity rates, necessitating effective interventions for promoting physical activity and combating non-communicable diseases. This study evaluates the impact of a 12 week Nyakaza Move-for-Health intervention on physical activity, anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, and behaviour change among adolescents in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. One hundred twenty-eight adolescents participated, with assessments including self-reported physical activity, anthropometric indices, and cardiorespiratory fitness measures. The intervention significantly increased physical activity levels. The treatment group’s mean score was 2.2 (0.4) at baseline and 2.6 (0.4) (F (14, 79) = 4.884, p = &lt;0.001, η2 = 0.156) at the endline. The body mass index decreased (mean = 22.4 (4.6) at baseline and 21.9 (4.2) at endline; p = 0.025, partial eta squared = 0.025, η2 = 0.004). The intervention programme significantly affected the WHR (mean = 0.80 (0.10) at baseline and 0.76 (0.9) at endline; p &lt; 0.001, partial eta squared = 0.327, η2 = 0.100) and the predicted maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) for the treatment group (mean = 42.4 (8.7) at baseline and mean = 43.6 (8.7) at endline; p &lt; 0.711, partial eta squared = 0.017, η2 = 0.033). Focus group discussions indicated shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and motivation towards physical activity. Power analysis revealed strong observed power (PA: 0.983, BMI: 0.098, WHR: 0.887), indicating the robustness of the intervention’s effects. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the intervention in improving physical health outcomes. It is recommended that longitudinal studies be conducted to assess the long-term sustainability and impact of such interventions on adolescents’ health outcomes, thereby informing the development of comprehensive public health policies and programmes to promote physical activity and combat non-communicable diseases in similar settings.

Evaluation of knowledge, attitude, practices and effectiveness of menstrual hygiene interventions in rural schools from Lilongwe, Malawi

BackgroundMenstrual hygiene management (MHM) is associated with the menstrual process in women and adolescent girls who face cultural and financial challenges in rural areas of many developing countries. As part of the pilot study, we assessed the sustainability and effectiveness of the approaches and lessons learned from the MHM project intervention in rural areas of Lilongwe, Malawi.MethodsRural primary schools (n = 4) were purposively selected where an MHM intervention was implemented in Lilongwe, Malawi. The study employed a mixed-method research design. Assessments and data collection were performed through surveys of learners, literature reviews, key informant interviews (KIIs) (n = 90), and 20 focus group discussions (FGDs). The study participants included boys and adolescent girls (n = 100, 11–19 years; grades 5–8), teachers, mother groups, and community leaders from the selected schools.ResultsAll the schools had water sanitation and hygiene facilities and latrines (45% improved, 54% ventilated improved pit latrines – VIPs) that promoted menstrual hygiene for adolescent girls. However, two of the schools studied (50%, n = 4) did not have separate washrooms for changing sanitary materials. There was a slight increase in latrine coverage in Kabuthu zone communities (90% at baseline versus 93.4% at midterm). However, the coverage dropped to 85.7% at the final evaluation, which was attributed to too much rain received in the area that damaged most of the latrines. There was a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the number of girls failing to attend classes due to menstruation (70% at baseline versus 14% at final evaluation). Furthermore, the project resulted in the majority of girls (94.4%) having access to school. There was a strong uptake and adoption of sanitary products (reusable pads and menstrual cups) among adolescent girls of all age groups. The study has demonstrated that the inclusion of key stakeholders such as health workers, parents, mother groups and community leaders promoted the uptake and sustainability of reusable pads and menstrual cups and MHM interventions and programs.ConclusionThe MHM project implementation improved adolescent girls’ education in the area. The inclusion of boys and other key stakeholders in the health education talks addressed issues of stigma and discrimination. The study, therefore, calls for comprehensive training on MHM and hygiene education to remove discrimination and harmful cultural practices.

Spatial patterns of intestinal parasite infections among children and adolescents in some indigenous communities in Argentina.

Argentina has a heterogeneous prevalence of infections by intestinal parasites (IPs), with the north in the endemic area, especially for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). We analyzed the spatial patterns of these infections in the city of Tartagal, Salta province, by an observational, correlational, and cross-sectional study in children and adolescents aged 1 to 15 years from native communities. One fecal sample per individual was collected to detect IPs using various diagnostic techniques: Telemann sedimentation, Baermann culture, and Kato-Katz. Moran's global and local indices were applied together with SaTScan to assess the spatial distribution, with a focus on cluster detection. The extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) machine-learning model was used to predict the presence of IPs and their transmission pathways. Based on the analysis of 572 fecal samples, a prevalence of 78.3% was found. The most frequent parasite was Giardia lamblia (30.9%). High- and low-risk clusters were observed for most species, distributed in an east-west direction and polarized in two large foci, one near the city of Tartagal and the other in the km 6 community. Spatial XGBoost models were obtained based on distances with a minimum median accuracy of 0.69. Different spatial patterns reflecting the mechanisms of transmission were noted. The distribution of the majority of the parasites studied was aligned in a westerly direction close to the city, but the STH presence was higher in the km 6 community, toward the east. The purely spatial analysis provides a different and complementary overview for the detection of vulnerable hotspots and strategic intervention. Machine-learning models based on spatial variables explain a large percentage of the variability of the IPs.

Towards a decolonial developmental science: Adolescent development in the Majority World taking center stage.

While aspiring to be a diverse and global science, developmental science continues to be dominated by EuroAmerican epistemologies, researchers, and communities in its published scholarship. Adolescents in communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America comprise 85% of the world's adolescent population, and yet their experiences and perspectives are marginalized in our science. Adolescents in the Majority World live in highly diverse social, cultural, political, economic, educational and healthcare contexts that contribute to their development, and we have much to learn from their experiences. This article situates the marginalization of the global majority within coloniality embedded in developmental science. The article describes the impetus for this special issue Towards a decolonial developmental science and the process of putting it together, along with providing an overview of the 18 articles in this collection that push us towards decoloniality. The special issue serves as a call to transform developmental science to be decolonial by empowering adolescent development in Majority World communities to take center stage. Adolescent development research from Majority World communities has the potential to challenge the knowledge base generated from Minority World samples, contributing to a science that is comprehensive, inclusive, and can inform prevention and intervention efforts to support the well-being of adolescents globally.

School-based health centers as an approach to address health disparities among rural youth: A study protocol for a multilevel research framework.

School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs) are important healthcare providers for children in medically underserved communities. While most existing research on SBHCs has focused on urban environments, this study protocol proposes a mixed-methods, multi-level research framework to evaluate the role of SBHCs in addressing health disparities among underserved children and adolescents in rural communities. The study area includes four high-poverty rural counties in New York State served by Bassett Healthcare Network that permits a comparison of school districts with SBHCs to those without SBHCs, all served by providers within the Bassett Healthcare Network. We employ a human ecological framework that integrates the micro layer of individuals and families, the meso layer of school districts and community institutions, and the macro layer of local and state policies. Our research framework first identifies the socioecological health risk factors, and then proposes innovative strategies to investigate how SBHCs impact them. We propose evaluating the impact of SBHCs on the individual (micro) level of child healthcare utilization using patient records data. At the meso level, we propose to investigate how School-SBHCs partnership may facilitate greater cross-agency collaboration and broader structural and social determinist of health to address health disparities. At the macro level, we propose to assess the impact of SBHCs and cross-agency collaboration on outcomes associated with a culture of community health. This study protocol will enable researchers to assess how SBHCs reduce rural health disparities, and provide evidence for organizational and public policy change.

"Infertility Isn't a Choice!": Conversations on Twitter about the Financial Burden of Oncofertility Care.

This study aimed to evaluate how the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer community utilized Twitter to discuss the financial challenges of oncofertility care and to advocate for change. Tweets related to oncofertility and finances (n = 166), collected over a 12-week time period encompassing AYA Cancer Awareness Week, were thematically analyzed. Conversations highlighted how the high cost of care contributed to already high emotional and social distress. Proposed actions included providing timely information more equitably, improving access to financial support, and continued advocacy of policy changes to improve access to oncofertility care. Future research can explore the potential impact on policy change and clinical care.

Understanding the social identity of adolescents in the Indigenous Kodava Community of India.

The social identity development of adolescents in marginalized communities across the globe holds paramount significance in determining the overall well-being of its future population. Focusing on one such community, the Kodavas, an Indigenous community in South India, this study aims to understand the shifting configurations of social identity based on the changing sociocultural structure and its implications on identity perception among the adolescents belonging to the Kodava community in Kodagu district in Karnataka, India. This study used a qualitative research design to develop an analytical framework of social identity formation and its transitions in the context of the Kodavas. Data were collected from 188 adolescents (47% boys, 53% girls) between 13 and 17 years (M age = 15 years), in the form of essay writing. The findings based on thematic analysis highlight the core traditional elements of Kodava identity, factors influencing the transition in identity, and its reflection in the contemporary period.

Prevalence of stress and types of coping strategies among adolescents (14–18 years) in collectivist communities

Background: Stress is highly prevalent among adolescents and might lead to maladaptive coping. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of stress and determined the types of coping strategies used by adolescents; and identified the predictors of stress levels among this cohort. The study recruited 1344 participants, aged 14 to 18 years, in schools. The study used the DASS-42 and the Brief COPE Inventory Scale for data collection. The findings of this study showed that more than two-thirds of adolescents suffer from stress, and moderate, severe, and extremely severe were 22.8%, 43.0%, and 16.8%, respectively. The most used coping behaviors among these adolescents were religious factors, with a Mean ± SD of (Mean 6.28 ± 1.16), followed by instrumental support (Mean 6.17 ± 1.18). The stress level has a significant negative correlation at (p < 0.001) with active coping (r = −0.183**), self-distraction (r = −0.190**), acceptance (r = −0.140**) and religion (r = −0.097**; P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analyses revealed that the whole model had R2 (0.232); p < 0.005 and shows that those aged 15 had an odd of 0.272 to develop stress more than those at 18. Fathers' and mothers' education levels strongly influenced adolescents' stress levels. Those with an income between <500 and 500–750 Jordanian Dinars had an odds ratio of 5.241 and 3.514 of developing stress, respectively, compared to their counterparts. Application to practice: This study highlights the significance of developing health intervention programs and counseling services for managing adolescents' psychological well-being and provides valuable insights for policymakers on addressing mental health issues.

Internalizing Problems in Adopted Eastern European Adolescents: The Role of the Informant, Early Adversity and Post-Adoption Processes.

Internationally adopted children who suffered early institutionalization are at risk of a late onset of internalizing problems in adolescence. Both pre-adoption, adversity-related, and post-adoption factors predict variability in internalizing problems in this population. Previous studies have suggested different patterns of parent-adolescent informant discrepancies in adoptive dyads We analyzed internalizing problems among 66 adolescents internationally adopted from Russia to Spanish families using both the parent- and self-report version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and comparing them with a low-risk, community group (n = 30). We assessed pre-adoption and post-adoption factors and evaluated cross-informant discrepancies. Internationally adopted adolescents exhibited more internalizing problems by parent-report than community adolescents, but there were no differences by self-report. Adopted youth showed no discrepancies between parent and self-report, whereas community adolescents reported more internalizing symptoms than their parents. Pre-adoption adversity-related factors predicted parent-reported internalizing problems, while post-adoption factors predicted self-reported internalizing problems. Parent-adolescent informant discrepancies in adopted adolescents from Eastern Europe for internalizing symptoms were lower than in community adolescents. Both adversity-related factors and the lived experience of adoption may influence the development of internalizing symptoms in internationally adopted adolescents.

Spanish Adaptation of the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ) in Community Adolescents and Adults.

Despite the role of mentalization in mental health outcomes and prevention, psychometrically-evaluated screening measures for mentalization remain sparse. One widely-used mentalization questionnaire is the Mentalization Questionnaire (MZQ; Hausberg et al., 2012), which we aimed to adapt and validate for use in Spanish. We adapted the MZQ to European Spanish and evaluated its psychometric properties in both adolescent (n = 389, ages 12-19, M = 14.5) and adult community samples (n = 382, M = 48). Confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a unidimensional structure including all items. This model had better goodness of fit than the original and other adaptations. Invariance analysis showed the same structure in adolescents compared by sex and age, and additionally in the adult versus adolescent samples. Evidence for convergent and discriminant validity was found. Internal consistency values in both adolescents and parents were fair and in the adolescent sample the MZQ scores remained moderately stable after re-test. The Spanish adaptation of the MZQ presents similar evidence of reliability and validity in the adolescent and adult samples. The results support this being a suitable version for evaluating mentalization in the general population.

Adolescents in urban and rural communities in Rivers state, Nigeria: Factors influencing access and utilization of reproductive health services

Introduction: Reproductive health services (RHS) are used and accessed differently in rural and urban areas, though to what extent is unknown. In Rivers State, Nigeria, we identified and examined the characteristics impacting adolescents' access to and use of RHS in rural and urban areas. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study design was employed, five hundred and seven adolescents—255 from urban and 252 from rural communities—were surveyed. Access and utilization were measured and using adjusted odd ratios in multivariate logistic regression models, predictors of access and utilization were identified. Results: The corresponding median ages and interquartile ranges were 16.0 (14–19) and 14.0 (12–16) years, respectively. RHS utilization was low, with 57 (22.6 percent) in rural areas and 65 (25.5 percent) in urban areas. There was also a lack of access to services; only 8 (3.17 percent) rural and 81 (31.76 percent) urban residents had economic access to RHS. Access and utilization were predicted by age, level of education, awareness of RHS, sexual experience in both communities, beliefs that condoms can prevent STIs/ HIV, and exposure to mass and socio-media influenced access and utilization of RHS. Specifically, age group (15-19 years) of respondents was found to be a significant predictor of utilization of RHS for both urban (cOR=4.32, 95% CI; 0.82-22.69, p=0.001) and rural (aOR=7.65, 95% CI; 1.99-29.40, p=0.003) adolescents. Conclusion: Adolescents in urban areas have more access (3 in 10) and utilization of RHS compared with their rural (3 in 100) counterparts. There is a need to promote information and education on RHS among adolescents, especially in rural areas.