Issues In Children Research Articles

Contribution and challenges of integrating women into police reform in Somaliland

The purpose of the study was to investigate the obstacles faced by women within the police agency, assess their contributions, and develop appropriate recommendations aimed at enhancing the status of women and promoting their recruitment, retention, and advancement as police officers. In Somaliland, women encounter numerous barriers in the policing sector, which include organizational, personal, psychological, and social challenges that impede their representation. Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, following the collapse of the central Somali government. Although it does not enjoy full international recognition, Somaliland has effectively established a stable government, developed functional state institutions, and conducted democratic elections. The country has focused on enhancing its security framework, with the Somaliland police being formed in 1993, playing a crucial role in upholding law and order in a context of persistent regional instability. The Somaliland Police is estimated to comprise around eight thousand personnel distributed across all six regions, with approximately 5 percent representation of women in law enforcement. This research paper adopted a descriptive methodology that utilized qualitative techniques to investigate the challenges encountered by women in law enforcement. Eight key informant interviews were carried out with police personnel, representatives from civil society organizations, officials from the Ministry of Interior, UN agencies, and members of the community. Furthermore, four focus group discussions were organized, comprising women police officers, male officers, and community members. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, while secondary data was obtained through a thematic literature review concerning the roles and obstacles associated with the integration of women into police reform. The research paper indicated that female police officers perform the same duties and responsibilities as their male counterparts, with the exception of patrolling and night shifts at police stations. Additionally, they are involved in specific activities concerning women's and children's issues, such as conducting physical checks of women entering public spaces, assisting female victims, investigating cases of harm against women, apprehending, and interviewing female offenders, addressing domestic violence and supporting victims of gender-based violence. The primary challenges faced by women in the police force in Somaliland include issues related to their attire, inadequate access to essential equipment and facilities, discrimination, imbalances between marriage, family, and work, limited understanding of the police system, and cultural obstacles. To mitigate these challenges, the research suggests increasing awareness of the roles and contributions of female police officers, conducting a capacity assessment for these personnel, improving their training and equipment, and creating a supportive environment for women, where government initiatives, in partnership with the stakeholders, and community can effectively address the challenges faced by women.

Cyberformance and Children’s Theatre: a Contextual Examination of the Janelle and Joella Paradigm

This article identifies cyberspace as an alternate theatre environment for audiences to see performances. There is no doubt that the internet has had a tremendous influence on human society; the interconnectedness and easy access to information and resources which it enables is a testament to this. Theatre artists have recently tapped into cyberspace to create content for an expanding online audience. This article explores how performance can enhance children's theatre in this digital space. It examines the concept of children’s theatre and defines children-centered online content as performance. The article broadens the definition of "liveness" in cyberformance to include not just live events but also pre-recorded content that engages viewers continuously. It analyzes three videos from Janelle and Joella, two sisters addressing children's issues online. This content is positioned within the framework of children-for-adult children’s theatre and identified as cyberformance. It highlights the videos' themes and presentation styles as exemplary of children’s theatre. Also, the attributes of performance, which are interconnectedness, liveness, and engagement, were established within the Janelle and Joella children’s theatre paradigm. The article concludes on the note that cyberformance offers a veritable platform for the continuous exploration of theatre.

Sistem Pakar Diagnosis Penyakit Gigi pada Anak Usia 5-12 Tahun Menggunakan Metode Forward Chaining

Children's dental health is a crucial aspect that must be carefully attended to, as despite being the hardest tissue in the human body, teeth are highly susceptible to bacterial attacks. Many parents neglect their children's dental health, mainly due to limited economic resources and insufficient knowledge about the importance of early dental care. Dental diseases in children can lead to more severe health problems if not properly treated. Therefore, a system is needed to help detect dental problems in children at an early stage. This expert system for diagnosing dental diseases in children is designed to replicate the thought process of a dentist in diagnosing dental issues based on symptoms inputted by the user. This study uses the forward chaining method, which is reliable in accurately identifying dental problems and providing early treatment recommendations, as well as oral health information. The system is expected to assist parents in detecting their children's dental issues and offering appropriate recommendations before consulting a dentist. Furthermore, this system has the potential to be used in clinics or health centers to support the dental diagnosis process more quickly and efficiently.

Association between Reported Sleep Disorders and Behavioral Issues in Children with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1-Results from a Retrospective Analysis in Italy.

Background: Sleep disorders have been poorly described in congenital (CDM) and childhood (ChDM) myotonic dystrophy despite being highly burdensome. The aims of this study were to explore sleep disorders in a cohort of Italian CDM and ChDM and to assess their association with motor and respiratory function and disease-specific cognitive and behavioral assessments. Methods: This was an observational multicenter study. Reported sleep quality was assessed using the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ). Sleep quality was correlated to motor function (6 min walk test, 6MWT and grip strength; pulmonary function (predicted Forced Vital Capacity%, FVC% pred.); executive function assessed by BRIEF-2; autism traits assessed by Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and Repetitive Behavior Scale-revised (RBS-R); Quality of life (PedsQL) and disease burden (Congenital Childhood Myotonic Dystrophy Health Index, CCMDHI). Results: Forty-six patients were included, 33 CDM and 13 ChDM, at a median age of 10.4 and 15.1 years. Daytime sleepiness and disrupted sleep were reported by 30% children, in both subgroups of CDM and ChDM. Daytime sleepiness correlated with autism traits in CDM (p < 0.05). Disrupted sleep correlated with poorer executive function (p = 0.04) and higher disease burden (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Sleep issues are a feature of both CDM and ChDM. They correlate with behavioral issues and impact on disease burden.

In the shadow of sport mega-events: A critical analysis of the nexus between evictions, displacements, securitized gentrification and children's rights

This paper explores what has been described as the ‘dark side’ of sport mega-events – namely, processes of gentrification and mega-event-induced human evictions and displacements. Whilst researchers have established the regularity of such practices before and during sport mega-events, and that children inevitably are among the displaced, this research has, hitherto, seldom been synthesized within the broader children's rights context. In doing so, this conceptual paper critically examines children's rights issues that arise from Olympic-induced evictions and displacements. We argue that, from a children's rights perspective, the consequences of these practices impact children, young people, and their rights in a much more pervasive and deep-seated manner, affecting multiple children's rights, including their right to housing, education, and the best interests principle. This paper drives forward debates in the social study of sport mega-events, children's rights and urban processes and their social exclusions.

Analyzing Engagement: A Study of Teething-Related Discussions and Trends on Facebook.

Caregivers often use Facebook to seek advice on children's health issues, including teething. However, the lack of professional oversight on this platform can lead to the spread of misinformation, emphasizing the need for research on user engagement with teething content. This longitudinal study assesses public interaction with teething-related information on Facebook, aiming to inform children's health organizations about creating accurate social media content. A year-long analysis of English-language Facebook posts tagged "teething" was conducted, focusing on public pages and groups, while excluding unrelated or private content. Sources were categorized, and engagement was measured against page likes or group memberships. Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate statistical differences in post types and engagement by source (P < 0.05). Out of 193 relevant posts, interactive content was the most common (112 posts (58%)), followed by miscellaneous (59 posts (30.6%)) and educational content (22 posts (11.4%)). Noticeable confusion among users was observed concerning teething symptoms and processes. Misinformation was prevalent, particularly regarding the use of amber necklaces, amber teething toys, topical anesthetics, and nocturnal bottle feeding for relief. The engagement rate for teething content was low at 1.09%, with significant variations in content strategies by source (P < 0.001), though engagement rates were consistent (P = 0.406). The study uncovers active but misinformed discussions about teething on Facebook, marked by a lack of evidence-based advice and low engagement rates. These findings emphasize the immediate need for children's health organizations to provide scientifically accurate information to foster a better-informed online community.

Correlation of Vitamin D Levels with Severity of Asthma in Children Between 6 to 12 Years

Background: Millions of children worldwide suffer from chronic asthma, a serious respiratory disease that has a major influence on everyday living and health outcomes. There are significant public health concerns regarding the estimated 10-15% frequency of asthma in children in India. Vitamin D, which is recognized for its immunomodulatory qualities, according to recent studies reduces the severity. In this study, children aged 6 to 12 years old's vitamin D levels and the severity of their asthma were examined. Materials and Methods: At a tertiary care teaching hospital, 100 children between the ages of 6 and 12 who were presenting with acute exacerbations of bronchial asthma were the subjects of a prospective cohort study from August 2021 to August 2022. ELISA was used to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and the GINA recommendations were used to determine the severity of asthma. Based on their levels of vitamin D, the kids were divided into three groups: sufficient (&gt;30 ng/mL), insufficient (20–30 ng/mL), and deficient (&lt;20 ng/mL). Children who were deficient in vitamin D were given supplements and monitored for three months. With SPSS 27, statistical analysis was carried out. Findings: The results of the study showed a strong correlation between increased asthma severity and inadequate asthma control and reduced vitamin D levels. Children with the most acute and uncontrollably asthmatic episodes were those with low vitamin D levels (&lt;20 ng/mL). Significant improvements in asthma control, decreased activity limits, and decreased need for rescue medication were noted after three months of vitamin D administration. Conclusion: This study shows a clear link between children's asthma control issues and higher asthma severity when there is a vitamin D Deficiency. Supplementing with vitamin D significantly improved asthma outcomes, indicating a possible therapeutic role for this nutrient. Future studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are recommended to validate these findings and further elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Continuous Support from the Same Public Health Nurse and Parental Perception and Use of Health Care Services: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Continuity is considered essential for high-quality maternal and child health care services, but studies to show this effect on parental well-being are still rare. We studied whether receiving support from the same public health nurse has a beneficial effect on parental perceptions of health care professionals and the use of childcare support services. Maternal and child health care services were provided by different nurses in a Japanese municipality until March 2019. From April 2019, all families with infants received continuous support from the same assigned nurse. A questionnaire covering parental perception and the use of services was sent by postal mail to 1,341 families with infants. The data were analyzed using χ2-test, t-test and logistic regression producing odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Parental perceptions of the availability of professionals to discuss children's issues, the degree of understanding about available other childcare support services, the degree of utilizing other services, and satisfaction with health care services were higher in parents who received continuous support from the same assigned nurse compared to those who did not receive continuous support. Continuous support was associated with parental perceptions of the availability of professionals to discuss children's issues (OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.34-2.91) and the degree of understanding about available other child-care support services (OR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.11-2.44) after adjusting the results for socioeconomic factors. Continuous support from the same assigned nurse has benefits for parents. This offers a cost-effective way to improve parental well-being.

Safeguarding the Future: Child Protection and the Prevention of Child Marriages in Indonesia

Child protection is an issue in Indonesia, which has a varied cultural heritage and has experienced economic downturns. According to Arliman (2017), Indonesia has created policies, efforts, and governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure Children's protection and wellness. The nation's legal structure consists of global and across-the-country conventions, which disclose the relevance of the initiatives placed by the federal government to protect and safeguard Children's' lawful rights. According to Vaitla et al. (2017), the focus has been on securing wellness and constitutional freedoms, specifically in the problem of early marriages. The country's decision to promote child protection through fundamental laws such as the constitution originates from the implications for the future and children's health. Olojede et al. (2020) reveal numerous problems in managing children's issues, such as forced marriage, denying their basic civil liberties, and gender-based violence. Despite the federal government's efforts, numerous difficulties proceed and remain prevalent in different Indonesian areas and regions.

How not to talk about it: Using digital storytelling with children with anxiety

This paper explores the benefits and challenges of using digital storytelling (DST) in mental health research with children. By using DST to centre children's experiences, the study empathetically deepens our understanding of children's complex mental health issues. DST involves a gradual process that fosters safe self-expression and imaginative storytelling. The DST process can help convey difficult or stressful stories coherently and creatively to support both researchers and participants in understanding mental health issues. However, a narrow focus on neat endings and resolutions may limit authentic expression, indicating a need for more open-ended narrative structures to capture the complexities of children's mental health experiences.This is a story about three stories. This is also a story about the discoveries and challenges of working alongside children (ages 10–13) as they used digital storytelling to share their anxiety experiences through short self-made videos. Our journey began with two questions: How would children portray their anxiety through digital storytelling? What aspects of the digital storytelling process would be the most fruitful for both participants and researchers, and why? In this paper, we weave three of the children's stories within our own narrative of using digital storytelling as a research tool to better understand children's experiences of anxiety. Rather than present the children's stories as the results of our research, we use their stories as springboards for articulating and interrogating digital storytelling as a tool for understanding anxiety. We intertwine the first-person accounts of each child with our academic prose, deliberately highlighting the different ways of knowing that our approach enables.

Severe Neurologic Issues in Children Hospitalized With COVID Tied to New Neurocognitive Conditions at Discharge

Severe Neurologic Issues in Children Hospitalized With COVID Tied to New Neurocognitive Conditions at Discharge

Current State and Issues for Children with Foreign Backgrounds in Disasters

Current State and Issues for Children with Foreign Backgrounds in Disasters

Parental Involvement Influence on Education Participation for Learners with Hearing Impairments in Special Public Primary Schools in Meru and Isiolo Counties- Kenya

Globally need for education, as a measure of one's ability to function fully in today's society, is an important motivator for efforts to achieve the highest level of education in the world. The persistent under achievement of deaf students in Kenyan schools is of great concern as evidenced by final average scores in their formative and summative scores in their assessments. This study aimed to find out how parental involvement influences education participation for learners with hearing impairment. The study was guided by Maslows theory of motivation in learning. A phenomenological research design was utilized. The study targeted three primary schools handling learners with hearing impairments in Meru and Isiolo counties that is Kaaga, Njia, and Isiolo school for learners with hearing impairment. A thematic approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. The study revealed that parental involvement was minimal. Based on the study findings, collective effort should be made to sensitize the parents on their roles in the education of their children. Employers of parents of students with hearing impairments should be given days off with pay when going to attend to their children's issues in school like closing days, opening days, and clinic days for their children. The school should provide some incentives to parents like meals during the school meetings to help reduce parents’ expenses. The government should ensure tax waivers for parents of students with hearing impairments. The stakeholders should help change parental attitudes that their children will not make it.

Parents' Mental and Emotional Disorders and Psychosocial Problems in Children at Public Elementary School 1 Kucur

The psychosocial challenges faced by children may not always correspond with the emotional disorders exhibited by their parents. A robust support system from their social network can significantly contribute to the enhancement of their mental well-being. This study aims to investigate the relationship between parental emotional disorders and psychosocial issues in school-aged children. The research utilizes a descriptive correlational approach with a cross-sectional design, involving 165 students aged 6 to 12 from Public Elementary School 1 Kucur who are currently enrolled in school, along with one consenting parent, resulting in 330 respondents. The Self-Reporting Questionnaire-29 (SRQ-29) is used to identify parental emotional issues, while the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) assesses children's psychosocial problems. An analysis employing Somers' D Gamma was conducted to ascertain the correlation between parental mental-emotional disorders and children's psychological well-being. The findings reveal that the highest average score for parental mental-emotional disorders stands at 82.4%. In comparison, the highest average score for total difficulties in children's psychosocial issues is 58.8%, while the highest average prosocial score is 92.7%. The statistical analysis reveals no significant connection between parental emotional disorders and children's psychosocial problems on the prosocial scale (p=0.897) and total difficulties score (p=0.897). In conclusion, the findings of this research do not establish a direct link due to the numerous factors influencing children's psychosocial challenges.

Predictors associated with night sleep disturbance among breastfeeding women

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of somnological disorders among Kazakhstani women who breastfeed and to assess the association of this phenomenon with some medical and social characteristics. MethodsThe authors used the standardized questionnaire of A.M. Vein and Y.I. Levin to assess nocturnal sleep among 1101 breastfeeding women in the Republic of Kazakhstan, applied Pearson's chi-square test to study the correlation between sleep disturbances and duration of breastfeeding, and multiple logistic regression to assess the influence of various medical and social factors on somnological disorders. Data collection occurred in February 2023. ResultsOn average, 80% of breastfeeding women (ranging from 79% to 85.9%) experienced some form of nocturnal sleep disorders, with no significant association found between these disorders and breastfeeding duration (p = 0.234), while urban residence, history of operative delivery, child's health issues, and low satisfaction levels with various aspects were associated with over twofold increased odds of experiencing sleep disorders (p ≤ 0.05). ConclusionsThe elevated prevalence of nocturnal sleep disorders among breastfeeding Kazakhstani women serves as a risk indicator for adverse health outcomes, with predictors including place of residence, obstetric complications, child health issues, and satisfaction levels with social conditions and personal expression opportunities.

Nutritional Issues in Children with Dysphagia.

(1) Background: Pediatric dysphagia presents significant nutritional challenges, often impacting growth and development due to reduced oral intake, increased nutritional needs, and gastrointestinal complications; (2) Methods: This prospective quasi-experimental study assessed 117 children under 14 years old (20 patients were under 1 year old, 80 were aged 1-7 years, and 17 were older than 7 years), diagnosed with swallowing disorders, to analyze their caloric, macro-, and micronutrient intake and identify potential deficiencies. The severity of dysphagia was established using functional oral intake scales, and dietary records were reviewed over a 3-day period; (3) Results: The study revealed that 39.8% of participants did not meet their total energy expenditure (TEE), highlighting a high prevalence of malnutrition among these children. Furthermore, patients using feeding devices exhibited a significantly lower caloric intake, and over half required significantly modified food textures. After individualized speech therapy and nutritional rehabilitation, participants showed significant improvements in caloric intake, with their energy coverage increasing from 958% to 1198% of the daily requirement. Rehabilitation also improved tolerance to a broader range of food textures; (4) Conclusions: This research underscores the importance of multidisciplinary, individualized nutritional strategies to address the specific challenges of pediatric dysphagia, emphasizing the role of enteral nutrition and therapeutic interventions in improving the quality of life and nutritional outcomes of these children. Further studies are recommended to assess the long-term impact of such strategies.

Indigenous peoples’ health: Culturally grounded evidence from the Baka, Southeastern Cameroon

Indigenous Peoples are exposed to the impacts of the climatic, ecological and socioeconomic changes, yet there is a need for a better understanding of their health and higher involvement of Indigenous Peoples in health promotion design and implementation. Our study brings empirical data on the healthcare system of the Baka, forager-horticulturalists from Cameroon. Using a mixed methods approach, we explored the health issues they encounter, the emic determinants of health and healthcare system, and the different threats towards their healthcare system. We conducted focus group discussions, interviews with experts, and self-reported health recalls with 302 individuals living in two settlements from southeastern Cameroon during two fieldwork periods between June and November 2022. Our insights highlight the prevalence of respiratory and children's digestive issues, and the occurrence of illnesses implying a combination of symptoms that would deserve further Western biomedical attention. The Baka's healthcare relies on medicinal plants, knowledge experts, and on the social cohesion of the community, all largely affected by the local social-ecological impacts of global change. Exposure to the market and health facilities does not seem to relate to Baka's health state and practices but might affect their perception of health. Deforestation, poor water quality, and alcohol (ab)use were reported and observed threats to the Baka's health and healthcare system. Our work supplies empirical evidence for a better understanding of Baka's health and healthcare system, helpful in designing health prevention and policies adapted to their reality and culture. Further research and interventions on health should consider the current threats to Baka's local ecosystems and cultural knowledge. These insights contribute to a higher recognition of the Baka's, and most broadly, the Indigenous Peoples' emic perspective on health, and on culturally grounded indicators of the resilience of their healthcare system to current and future challenges.

Parental Perception of Children's Mental Health During the Pandemic: Insights From an Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

This study explores the impact of the pandemic on children's mental health. It examined the understanding of parents regarding their children's mental condition and their ability to identify issues, 2 years post the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a cross-sectional design, 507 Italian parents reported on their youngest child aged between 2 and 17, totaling 507 children. The outcomes focused on were parental perception of children's mental health deterioration, scores on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) above the clinical cut-off, and parental under-recognition of mental health issues. Descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression models were executed (significance at p < .05). Parents were 88.1% women (median age 41 years, interquartile range [IQR] = 36-47). Their children were 50.3% female [median age 6 years (IQR = 4-11)]. The data revealed 21.1% of parents perceived a deterioration in their children's mental health, while 44.2% had SDQ scores above the cut-off. Parental under-recognition of mental issues was found in 20.1% of cases. Significant correlations were found between parental perception of deterioration, SDQ scores, and factors like parental mental distress and children's sleep issues. The findings suggest that schools and verified websites can serve as critical conduits for providing parents with reliable information. By promoting early identification and intervention, such mechanisms can help ensure mental health equity for children. The research highlights the effect of the pandemic on children's mental health and the issue of parental under-recognition. The results underscore the importance of public health initiatives that enhance mental health information accessibility and reliability for parents.

Children's Behavioural Issues and Kinship Caregiver Depression: The Roles of Self‐Care and Formal Support

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine two intervening variables, self‐care and formal support that affect the relationship between children with behavioural issues and caregiver depression. Specifically, this study examines whether self‐care can mediate the relationship between children's behavioural issues and caregivers' depression levels and whether formal support can moderate the relationship between children's behavioural issues and caregivers' depression levels. Data from this study were collected from Qualtrics survey in 2020. A total of 136 participated in the survey, and 16 of them did not complete the survey. Two duplicates were removed, so the final sample size in the survey is 118 kinship caregivers in Michigan. Children's problem behaviours, depression level of caregivers, self‐care practices and kinship care navigator programme were measured. Results suggested that more frequently children showed behavioural issues, the more their behaviours are significantly associated with higher caregiver depression levels (B = 0.253, p = 0.004). The amount of caregiver self‐care practice showed a significant mediation effect between caregivers' depression level and children's behavioural issues (B = −0.314, p &lt; 0.001), meaning more behavioural issues resulted in less self‐care practice of caregivers, and this less frequent self‐care could also result in a higher level of depression of caregivers. The moderation effect of kinship care programmes showed a disparity when caregivers were caring for children with different levels of behavioural issues. This study uncovered the differential roles of two intervening variables between children with behavioural issues and caregiver depression levels. Our findings affirmed the need to assist caregivers with children's behavioural issues in finding ways to engage in self‐care.

Parents' Coping Strategies for their School Children's Issues: A Systematic Literature Review

Parents' Coping Strategies for their School Children's Issues: A Systematic Literature Review