Majority Of Abuse Research Articles

Epidemioclinical and legal aspects of sexual abuse among minors in Monastir, Tunisia

Introductionles abus sexuels chez les mineurs constituent une réalité troublante et un problème majeur de santé publique. En effet, il s´agit d´un sujet qui a été longtemps considéré comme tabou, aux conséquences dramatiques sur la santé physique, psychique et le bien-être social des victimes. L´objectif est de préciser les aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques des abus sexuels chez les mineurs, et d´en étudier les aspects juridiques.Méthodesune étude rétrospective descriptive a été réalisée à la consultation externe de pédopsychiatrie à l´hôpital universitaire de Monastir durant la période de 12 ans et 6 mois. Nous avons inclus tous les enfants dont l´âge était inférieur à 18 ans et chez qui une agression sexuelle a été suspectée ou retenue.Résultatsau total, 93 mineurs victimes d´abus sexuels ont été colligés. L´âge moyen des mineurs était de 10 ans avec un écart-type de 3,9 ans. Le sex-ratio (G/F) était de 0,9. Pour les modalités de contact sexuel, les attouchements sexuels étaient les plus fréquents dans 47,3% des cas. La majorité des abuseurs étaient de sexe masculin (93,5%). Dans plus que la moitié des cas (53,8%), ils étaient une personne de l´entourage de l´enfant et dans 28% cas, l´abus était intrafamilial. L´évaluation psychiatrique initiale a objectivé des troubles mentaux dans 70% des cas.Conclusionl´abus sexuel est un champ très vaste des agressions de nature et d´intensité très diverses. Même si l´impact physique de cet acte peut manquer dans certaines formes d´abus sexuel, l´impact émotionnel et psychologique est omniprésent avec des expressions cliniques variables.

The Prevalence and Cost of Medicare Beneficiaries Diagnosed and At Risk for Opioid Abuse, Dependence, and Poisoning.

Reliance on prescription opioids to manage pain has been associated with increases in diversion, overdose, and addiction. Prevalence of misuse and abuse has been shown to be higher among government-insured populations than commercially insured populations. However, the prevalence and costs of misuse/abuse among the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) population has not been studied. To (a) determine the prevalence and costs of prescription opioid misuse/abuse and (b) evaluate the prevalence and costs associated with those identified as at risk for opioid misuse/abuse in Medicare FFS beneficiaries. This retrospective case-control study used Medicare claims data for the calendar years of 2010 and 2011 and included Medicare beneficiaries aged at least 18 years. The index date was the date of first diagnosed misuse/abuse or at risk for abuse and had to occur between July 1, 2010, and June 30, 2011, and beneficiaries had to have at least 6 months continuous eligibility before and after the index date. Matching (1:1) was used for comparing opioid misusers/abusers with nonabuser controls, as well as comparing patients at risk for opioid abuse with controls not at risk for abuse. Controls were matched to cases by gender, age, disability, and geographic region. The index date of the control patient was set equal to the index date of the matched case. Prevalence of misuse/abuse in the Medicare FFS population was 13.1 per 1,000 persons, with the majority among patients receiving Medicare based on disability (76.2%). The prevalence of at risk for misuse/abuse was 117.4 per 1,000 persons. Approximately half of the Medicare FFS patients used an opioid. Overall total annual unadjusted mean costs of health care resources were significantly greater for abusers than for matched controls ($46,194 vs. $21,964; P < 0.0001), with a mean annual excess cost of $24,230. The overall total adjusted 6-month post-index mean costs of health care resources for abusers was significantly greater than that of matched controls ($33,942 vs. $10,754; P < 0.0001), with a mean excess cost of $23,188. The prevalence of diagnosed abuse among Medicare FFS population (13.1 per 1,000 persons) was higher than other payer groups studied using similar ICD-9-CM codes, and the majority of abuse was among those receiving Medicare based on disability (76.2%). The prevalence of at-risk abuse was 9 times higher than the prevalence of diagnosed abuse. As with other studies, health care resource utilization and costs were significantly greater for diagnosed abuse than matched controls. This study was sponsored by Pfizer. Roland is a Pfizer employee and stockholder and was involved in all aspects of the study as part of a mid-career fellowship in pharmacoeconomics with the University of Utah. Ye and Stevens are employees of University of Utah, and Oderda was an employee of University of Utah, which received financial support from Pfizer in connection with the development of this manuscript. Oderda also reports consulting fees from Pfizer, Trevena, and Pacira, unrelated to this study. The results of this study were presented at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy Nexus 2015; October 26-29, 2015; Orlando, FL, and the AMCP Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy Annual Meeting 2016; April 19-22, 2016; San Francisco, CA.

Relevance of Perpetrator Identity to Reporting Elder Financial and Emotional Mistreatment.

Objective: The National Elder Mistreatment Study (NEMS) found that 5.2% of community older adults experienced financial abuse, and 4.6% experienced emotional mistreatment in the past year. Unfortunately, the majority of abuse was not reported to the authorities. This study investigated reasons for non-reporting. Method: In all, 774 NEMS participants were surveyed 8 years later via telephone to assess past-year financial and emotional mistreatment, perpetrator status, and whether any of these episodes were reported to authorities. Results: In total, 87.5% of financial abuse by family, friends, or acquaintances was not reported versus 33% of that perpetrated by strangers; for emotional mistreatment, 89.9% of that perpetrated by family, friends, and acquaintances was not reported, compared with 83.3% by strangers. Reasons for non-reporting of emotional abuse centered largely around with "not wanting publicity" and "not wanting to get the perpetrator in trouble," while no consistent reason emerged for failure to report stranger-perpetrated mistreatment.

Medicolegal characteristics of domestic violence

Introduction/Objective. Domestic violence is a phenomenon as old as the history of human civilization, present in all cultures, epochs and social systems. Despite the fact that domestic violence represents a dangerous and unacceptable social phenomenon, as well as a significant medical problem, there are still no precise data on the prevalence of this phenomenon in our country. This study aims to determine the elementary forensic characteristics of domestic violence that would represented the basis for future medical research in this field. Methods. A total of 4,593 records of forensic autopsy (n = 3,120) and clinical forensic medical examinations (n = 1,473) were analyzed in the 1996?2005 period in order to determine the cases of domestic violence. Results. The analysis encompassed 300 cases (6.5%) of clinically examined (n = 211; 70.3%) and autopsied (n = 89; 29.7%) victims of domestic violence. A statistically significant increase in domestic violence cases (?2 = 12.74; p = 0.00036) was determined in the observed period. The victims were mostly females (78%), with the mean age of 45.8 years (min = 0.3; max = 85; SD = 17.7), married (45%), with personal income (74.4%), and urban residence (66.3%). The majority of abusers were males (89.3%). Intimate partner violence was present in 58.3% of the cases. Physical abuse was the most common form of violence (97.7%), while sexual violence (2.3%) and child abuse (4.3%) were rarely recorded. Conclusion. The results of this research indicate that forensic medicine can be of great help in designing appropriate standards for conducting clinical medical examination, preventive programs, and strategies in fighting domestic violence.

Clinical and psychological characteristics of propofol abusers in Korea: a survey of propofol abuse in 38, non-healthcare professionals.

BackgroundThe aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of propofol abuse based on the results of a survey analysis of abusers among non-healthcare professionals in Korea.MethodsThirty-eight propofol abusers were questioned between October and December 2010, and were enrolled and voluntarily participated in a structured survey consisting of an interview and completing a previously prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three distinct parts: part 1 dealt with the history of propofol abuse; part 2 highlighted the problems caused by propofol abuse; and part 3 enquired regarding demographics of abusers.ResultsThirty-one (81.6%) of the 38 interviewees abused propofol for more than one year. During the last 12 months, 34 (89.0%) received propofol at two or three times a week. The minimum and maximum amounts of propofol (median, range) administered each time were 500 (100, 1000) and 2000 (500, 4000) mg, respectively. Stress relief and the maintenance of a sense of well-being were quoted the most important reasons for the first-time administration of propofol and its subsequent abuse, respectively. The majority of abusers (36.0, 97.3%) reported a sense of pleasure or euphoria at the time of their propofol injection. Withdrawal symptoms occurred in five abusers (13.2%). Thirteen (36.1%) reported disruptions in their work life. None of the respondents had previously admitted to and or reported abuse of any other controlled substances.ConclusionsThese results provided reference data for the regulation of propofol in Korea as a controlled substance and may also be of interest to international agencies in other countries.

Perpetrators of rape as reported in Central Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Introduction: Rape is a serious and obnoxious crime constituting a violation of the right and freedom of women with adverse effects on its victims.Objective: The study is aimed to analyze the demographic parameters of perpetrators of rape, the instruments of abuse and the environment of the assault.Methodology: this is a descriptive study conducted over a period of 6 months at the central hospital, Benin City. Data was obtained using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using spss version 16. Results: A total of 100 cases were documented during the study period. The mean age of the assailants was 20 years with peak age range of 21-30 years. Neighbours were the highest culprits and majority of abuse were carried out during the day in the homes of assailants.Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults are the commonest perpetrators of rape in Benin City. They are familiar with their victims in majority of cases, using unsuspected instruments to perpetrate their crime.

Protecting vulnerable adults from abuse

Abuse of vulnerable adults is a growing yet under-reported problem. Episodes of abuse are often considered to be rare incidents of physical or sexual abuse that are widely reported in the media. However, the House of Commons Health Select Committee point out that the most common incidents of abuse relate to poor practice, neglect, and poor management. Although the great majority of abuse occurs in the person's own home, some 27% of abuse occurs in care homes and hospitals. In an attempt to prevent those who would abuse the vulnerable from entering the workforce, the Government is to introduce a revised Vetting and Barring Scheme for staff and volunteers under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which will also apply to the NHS. This article discusses the extent and forms of abuse against the vulnerable, and the implications of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme for healthcare managers.

Forensic Engineering Analysis Of Disposable Cigarette Lighter Accidents And Safety Regulations

Millions Of Disposable Cigarette Lighters Are Manufactured And Distributed To Consumers. To Mitigate The Danger From This Profuse Source Of Fires The Industry Relies On A Consensus Astm International Safety Standard Which Can Be Referenced By Forensic Engineers When Investigating The Causes Of Serious Burn Accidents. Because Young Children Constitute The Majority Of Abusers, As Well As Victims, The Uscpsc Promulgated Mandatory, But Complicated, Requirements For Ensuring Availability Of Child Resistant Cigarette Lighters. Several Cases Are Described, Including The Explosion Of Molded Plastic Cigarette Lighter Casings Traced To Defects Which Resulted In Bleve Excessive Fuel Pressure And Heat Generated Structural Failures.

Knowledge of sexual abuse amongst female students in Malawi

Sexual abuse is an increasing problem in Malawi amongst female students, and is associated with physical and mental health problems. This study aimed to determine existing knowledge of sexual abuse amongst female students in tertiary education institutions in Malawi. A descriptive, comparative, quantitative and contextual research design was used. Participants (n=219) were selected through systematic random sampling from a population of female students aged 18 to 21, at fifteen (n= 15) tertiary education institutions in Malawi. Sexually abusive behaviours demonstrated by a lover and friend were interpreted as not being abusive. There were no significant differences in knowledge of sexual abuse between the abused and non-abused respondent groups (p &gt; 0.05). The overall prevalence rate of sexual abuse was 41%. Common forms of sexual abuse experienced were touching of breasts (54.4%) and attempted sexual intercourse (47.8%). Completed sexual intercourse was experienced by 18.9% of the respondents. The majority reported that they were sexually abused by men (98.9%). Twenty one percent experienced more than one sexually abusive incident and some respondents were abused by friends (30%). The abusers mostly used physical threats. Only 55.6% reported their sexual victimisation to others. Female students aged 18 to 21 in tertiary education institutions in Malawi had some knowledge of sexual abuse, but there were deficits in the interpretation of sexually abusive behaviours. The majority of abusers were male adolescents and young adults. Respondents should know what the Malawi law stipulates and what can be done to control and prevent sexual abuse. The information obtained from the study was used to develop guidelines for sexual abuse prevention programmes.

Silent Voices--Women and Substance Abuse in Hong Kong

Drug abuse is a long-standing problem in Hong Kong. Although the majority of abusers are male, recent trends suggest that there is an increasing population of females, under 21-years-old, abusing both drugs and alcohol. Despite the increase in the number of female substance abusers in Hong Kong, there is still a service gap in meeting the specific needs of this client group. Many current services remain biased towards the needs of male substance abusers, whose substance using career may be different from their female counterparts. The majority of women who misuse drugs and alcohol are of child bearing age and so the issue of care of the pregnant drug user is of vital importance when planning service provision. Women often fear that their children will be taken into care if their substance abuse becomes known. Many services have limited child care facilities and this may prevent some women from presenting to services. Care and treatment offered must be individually tailored if needs are to be met and if the planned outcomes are to be successful. It is imperative that treatment services challenge the subjugated and disempowered status of women substance users and aim to deal with the specific difficulties associated with this client group.

Abuse Committed by Women Against Male Intimates

SUMMARY A review of the rapidly expanding empirical research exploring the incidence, prevalence and characteristics of domestic violence committed by women against male intimates supports several conclusions: (1) the majority of abuse- in intimate relationships involves mutual aggression; (2) women are as likely to aggress against partners as are men, and men arc as likely as women to be the victims of intimate assaults; (3) women are more likely to be physically injured; and, (4) severe systematic abuse in intimate relationships is rare.

Child abuse in Hong Kong revisited after 15 years: Characteristics of victims and abusers

The purpose of this paper was to examine the characteristics of the victims and abusers of child abuse cases on the Child Protection Registry in Hong Kong as of March 1995 and to compare findings with a similar community report of child abuse in Hong Kong conducted approximately 15 years earlier. As of March 31, 1995, there were 457 active cases of child abuse or suspected child abuse (44% male and 56% female) on the computerized Child Protection Registry. Fifty percent of the victims were grade school age children between 7–12, and 62.4% suffered physical abuse. The abusers or suspected abusers were 52% male and 48% female with nearly half (49%) in their thirties. The majority of abusers were married/cohabiting (75%) with only a grade school education (60%). As compared to 1979, there was an increase of sexual child abuse cases, female victims of child abuse, and an increase in male abusers or suspected abusers.

Can cocaine addicts with severe mental illness be treated along with singly diagnosed addicts?

Large numbers of indigent cocaine abusers now present in center-city hospitals. Since many are also diagnosed for severe mental illness, options for their effective treatment are needed. The authors investigated the feasibility of treating these dually diagnosed patients along with the majority of abusers who were not severely impaired in a program that combines peerled treatment with psychiatric management and pharmacotherapy. Although group confrontation techniques were used, schizophrenics (N = 71) and patients with major depressive disorder (N = 50) experienced an outcome as good or better than the less impaired (N = 177) on retention, visit rates, and urinalysis results.