Number Of Youth Research Articles

How Florida youths measure up to US youths in sexual and reproductive health: implications for youths across the United States

The United States surpasses other developed nations in teen birthrates and sexually transmitted infections, and Florida youths are disproportionately affected. Projections have placed Florida to have the second largest population of youths in the nation by 2025. The racial and ethnic diversity as well as a growing number of youths in Florida make sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes in this state reflective of the increasing diversity of youths throughout the United States. The purpose of this research was to compare a representative sample of Florida youths and US high school youths sexual behaviors, overall and by gender and race/ethnicity, to identify disparities. Employing 2011 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, outcomes of interest were ever having had sexual intercourse; intercourse before age 13 years (early sex); condom use; oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use; and use of Depo-Provera®, Nuva Ring®, Implanon®, or any intrauterine device (IUD) at last sex. The analysis calculated relative risk and corresponding 95% confidence interval between Florida (N = 6,212) and US youths (N = 15,425) using SAS version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). There were statistically significant differences in four of five behaviors, all of which were worse for Florida youths compared with US youths (except for condom use). Florida youths were more likely to report early sex and less likely to have used OCPs. Florida youths were less likely to have used Depo-Provera®, Nuva Ring®, Implanon, or any IUD, including differences by grade level and among male, female, Hispanic, and white youths. This study can inform policy and the need to develop strategies for intervention or service provision among Florida youths so resources can be allotted to priority populations. In addition this study, highlights areas of SRH that may be faced by a growing and diverse population of youths in the United States.

Unaccompanied Migrant Children from Central America: Context, Causes, and Responses

This paper offers a comprehensive orientation to the recent surge in migration to the United States by unaccompanied children and families from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. To inform advocates and others working on behalf of these new arrivals, this report seeks to: 1) Set the unprecedented expansion in the number of youth and family border crossings in the context of long-term migration trends from the region; 2) Present a detailed account of the country conditions (“push factors”) driving the exodus of Central American minors and families; and 3) Consider new arrivals’ prospects for remaining in the U.S. in light of available forms of deportation relief as well as current policy and advocacy responses.

Rationale and design of a comparative effectiveness trial to prevent type 2 diabetes in mothers and children: The ENCOURAGE healthy families study

The number of youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is expected to quadruple over 4 decades. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is also increasing and is linked with development of T2D in women, and greater risk for T2D in adolescents exposed to GDM. Despite the increasing prevalence of T2D, approaches to prevent diabetes in high-risk youth and families are rare. To address this, we are conducting the Encourage Health Families Study (ENCOURAGE). This is a randomized trial evaluating the comparative effectiveness and costs of an adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) directed at mothers who had GDM or prediabetes and their children. The intervention is a group-based lifestyle program which we developed and implemented in partnership with the YMCA. We are comparing the ENCOURAGE intervention targeted to 1) mothers who have had GDM or prediabetes, and 2) mothers who have had GDM or prediabetes along with their school-aged children. This manuscript provides 1) the rationale for a targeted approach to preventing T2D and the interventions, 2) description of the translation of the DPP curriculum, and 3) the study design and methodology. The primary aims are to determine if participation leads to 1) weight loss in high-risk mothers, and 2) youth having healthier weights and lifestyle habits. We will also evaluate costs associated with each approach. These data are essential to build a translation model of T2D prevention that is both realistic and feasible to address this growing problem in both youth and adults.

Characteristics and outcomes of HIV-infected youth and young adolescents enrolled in HIV care in Kenya.

The number of youth and adolescents (10-24 years) with HIV infection has increased substantially presenting unique challenges to effective health service delivery. We examined routinely collected patient-level data for antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive HIV-infected patients, aged 10-24 years, enrolled in care during 2006-2011 at 109 ICAP-supported health facilities in three provinces in Kenya. Loss to follow-up (LTF) was defined as having no clinic visit for 12 months prior to ART initiation (pre-ART) and 6 months for ART patients. Competing risk and Kaplan-Meier estimators were used to calculate LTF and death rates. Sub-distributional and Cox proportional-hazards models were used to identify potential predictors of death and LTF. Overall 22 832 patients were enrolled in care at 10-24 years of age, 69.5% were aged 20-24 years, and 82% were female. Median CD4(+) cell count was 332 cells/μl (interquartile range 153-561); 70.8% were WHO stage I/II. Young adolescents (10-14 years) had more advanced WHO stage and lower median CD4(+) cell count compared to youth (15-24 years) at enrollment (284 vs. 340 cells/μl; P < 0.0001). Cumulative incidence of LTF and death at 24 months for pre-ART patients was 46.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 45.4-46.8%) and 2.1% (95% CI 1.9-2.3%), respectively. For those on ART, 32.2% (95% CI 31.1-33.3%) were LTF and 3.9% (95% CI 1.7-2.3%) died within 24 months. LTF among pre-ART and ART patients was twice as high among youth compared to young adolescents. LTF of young people with HIV in this Kenyan cohort was high and notably greater among youth compared to young adolescents. Novel strategies targeting these populations are urgently needed to improve retention.

The Effects of Private Education Patterns and Study Habits on Academic Achievement

The purpose of this study was to explore the patterns of private education, investigate the characteristics of private education patterns, and analyze the differences in study habits and academic achievement of youth on the basis of private education patterns. In this study, we used the data from the 2012 Panel of the Korea Children and Youth Panel Study by the National Youth Policy Institute. The subjects of this study were ninth-grade students and their parents. The statistical methods used for the analysis were two-step clustering, Chi-squared test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression. The major findings were as follows: first, private education was classified into three patterns, namely financial investment, time investment, and reduction of investment; and four categories, namely; private education methodology, private education time, private education expenses, and number of youth with access to private education. Second, the statistically significant socio-demographic characteristics of private education patterns were parents` education, parents` job type, father`s working hours, sex of children, housing form, and income. Third, the study found that financial investment and a reduce of investment led to better study habits and academic achievement than time investment and no investment. Fourth, private education and study habits showed statistically meaningful effects on academic achievement; in particular, study habits had strong effects on academic achievement. Based on the results, a variety of educational programs for the improvement of the study habits of the youth were suggested.

Peer victimization in youth from immigrant and non-immigrant US families

The phenomenology of peer victimization in youth from immigrant and non-immigrant US families was investigated in the current study. Specifically, differences in how youth were victimized, their responses to being victimized, and how peer bystanders responded to peer aggression incidents involving youth from these respective groups were investigated. Data were collected from two subsets of youth involved in a national research project. Results indicate that youth from immigrant families are more likely than their non-immigrant peers to report being victimized by physical aggression and to be victimized because of issues related to their race, religion, and family income. In addition, youth from immigrant families were more likely to report that their own responses to peer aggression were less likely to lead to positive outcomes and that peer bystander interventions did not benefit them as much as these interventions benefited their non-immigrant peers. Lastly, a concerning number of youth from immigrant families reported that both their own and bystander responses to peer aggression actually resulted in negative outcomes for them.

Oil Bunkering in Nigeria's Post-amnesty Era: An Ethnopolitical Settlement Analysis

This article seeks to explain the recent surge in oil theft in Nigeria from the viewpoint of ethnopolitical settlement. It argues that while persistent oil theft has been a means of facilitating and maintaining a predatory and exclusionary ‘social order’, it has also (and more so now) been a tool for confronting the establishment. The sharp rise after 2009 is attributed to the failure of government to take advantage of the amnesty programme to address the core issues at the root of the conflict in the region. These have become even more fundamental in the light of recent events in the country, such as the unintended publicity given to illegal mining in other regions, the discovery of and advanced efforts at oil-prospecting in other states of the federation, a disturbing publication on actual ownership of oil wells in the country, and some provocative statements on the current resource wealth-sharing formula by influential personalities from other ethnoregional groups. The situation is compounded by the presence of a very large number of youths who feel marginalized or excluded by the Jonathan administration, public revelation of massive corruption in the nation's oil sector, and developments in the political sphere that appear to be threatening the unity of the country. The paper proposes a political settlement that provides incentives for the ordinary citizen and host communities in the Niger delta to be actively interested in protecting the nation's oil and gas resources and infrastructures.

Influences of Mass Media, Family, and Friends Towards Adolescents’ Smoking in Yogyakarta

The number of youth who try smoking is increasing, and the onset is getting earlier. This study tries to answer “Who or what are the main reasons of smoking for Indonesian adolescents, especially in DI Yogyakarta?” through Theory of Triadic Influences (cultural environment, social situation, and biology/personality). Current studies have focused only on cultural environment (mass media) and social situation (family and friends) influence. The sampling was conducted through convenience sampling method to 390 adolescents from 12 junior high schools in DI Yogyakarta. The average age of the subjects is 14 years old, with male to female ratio 55.6%:44.4%. The data were collected through anonymous questionnaires consisting of seven parts. Descriptive analysis was applied to the collected data by means of Chi Square test and logistic regression. The result showed that friends’ influence was the strongest compared with mass media and family to adolescents’ smoking behavior. Among several sub-agents of mass media, it was not television but billboards that had stronger influence. Parents’ influence was not significant compared with siblings and other family members. School friends’ influence was not significant compared with friends from school and other friends. Based on the findings, the applicable proposed interventions are denormalization of cigarette consumption and systematic intervention, such as raising the tobacco price, limiting advertisement and promotion, also regulating tobacco sales.

Prevalence of physical health issues of youth with school identified disabilities in residential settings: A brief report

BackgroundEach year a number of youth with a school identified disability are placed in residential care. It has been well documented that these youth enter with elevated rates of behavioral, emotional, educational, mental health, and familial challenges. However, the physical and medical condition of these youth remains unstudied. ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of health and medical problems among a group of youth with school identified disabilities at entrance to a residential care center. MethodsArchival medical, demographic, and disability status data were obtained for 346 youth served in a large residential care center in the Midwest. Chi-square and correlation tests, and relative risk ratio estimates, were used to evaluate the relationship between medical condition and hypothesized correlates. ResultsFindings revealed that over one-third of the sample had at least one medical condition, with asthma being the most prevalent (15.6%). Rates of medical condition differed by disability type and prevalence of asthma differed by race/ethnicity. ConclusionsYouth with a school identified disability in care demonstrate health care needs that need to be addressed while in care and following community reintegration. Intervention programs and targeted curriculum are needed to teach youth how to manage their health specific needs and how to independently navigate the health care system.

Type 1 diabetes through the life span: a position statement of the American Diabetes Association.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by an immune-mediated depletion of β-cells that results in lifelong dependence on exogenous insulin. While both type 1 and type 2 diabetes result in hyperglycemia, the pathophysiology and etiology of the diseases are distinct and require us to consider each type of diabetes independently. As such, this position statement summarizes available data specific to the comprehensive care of individuals with type 1 diabetes. The goal is to enhance our ability to recognize and manage type 1 diabetes, to prevent its associated complications, and to eventually cure and prevent this disease. The exact number of individuals with type 1 diabetes around the world is not known, but in the U.S., there are estimated to be up to 3 million (1). Although it has long been called “juvenile diabetes” due to the more frequent and relatively straightforward diagnosis in children, the majority of individuals with type 1 diabetes are adults. Most children are referred and treated in tertiary centers, where clinical data are more readily captured. The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth study estimated that, in 2009, 18,436 U.S. youth were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (12,945 non-Hispanic white, 3,098 Hispanic, 2,070 non-Hispanic black, 276 Asian-Pacific Islander, and 47 American Indian) (2). Worldwide, ∼78,000 youth are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes annually. Incidence varies tremendously among countries: East Asians and American Indians have the lowest incidence rates (0.1–8 per 100,000/year) as compared with the Finnish who have the highest rates (>64.2 per 100,000/year) (3). In the U.S., the number of youth with type 1 diabetes was estimated to be 166,984 (4). The precise incidence of new-onset type 1 diabetes in those over 20 years of age is unknown. This may be due to the prolonged phase of onset and the subtleties in distinguishing the different …

Addressing Barriers to Change in the Treatment of Childhood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Although considerable evidence supports the use of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of childhood obsessive compulsive disorder, large numbers of youth fail to respond and clinical remission is often elusive. Poor family functioning frequently is implicated as an obstacle for youth undergoing CBT, with features such as symptom accommodation, family conflict, and blame known to attenuate outcomes. These features are common in child and adolescent obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and they may pose particular challenges for exposure-based treatments. Nonetheless, interventions that focus specifically on family functioning have, to date, been limited. This paper reviews the literature on family features associated with childhood OCD and discusses their links to treatment outcome. It then describes the development of a brief family intervention tailored to address the needs of highly distressed families of youth with OCD in the service of improving individual child CBT outcomes. Preliminary pilot data are presented and clinical implications are discussed.

The analysis of project bidding of Natural Science Foundation of China by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in 2003-2012

The situation of project bidding of Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) during the year 2003 and 2012 was analyzed.The main indicators including:the types and amounts of the winning project,the funds,subject areas and the age structure of project directors.Results show an upward trend in winning project number and the funds in this decade; and the winning number of youth found was significantly increased between 2011 and 2012.The major subject areas of the winning project still remains in viruses,bacteria and other basic research; the maternal and child health,and chronic disease areas realize zero breakthroughs.The age structure of project directors tends to be reasonable,and the young and middle-age researchers have become the main force of the scientific research in China CDC.In conclusion,to effectively strengthen the management of the NSFC would help the center acquire more funds support and subsidies. Key words: Natural Science Foundation; scientific research management; project bidding

To Infinity and Beyond!: Introduction to the Special Issue

Disney/Pixar character, Buzz Lightyear’s audacious exclamation, ‘‘To infinity and beyond,’’ captures the exciting developments in CBT with children and youth. The articles in this special issue balance the historical roots, current traditions, and future innovations in CBT spectrum approaches for youth. Each contribution reflects the dynamic nature of treatment development, application, and refinement. The articles translate the basic research finding to direct clinical practice. Moreover, the papers offer rich and diverse perspectives on CBT with youth. In the initial article, Friedberg, Hoyman, Behar, Tabbarah, Pacholec, Keller, and Thordarson celebrate the empirical, theoretical, and clinical advances achieved by CBT over the years. From newborn practice, to a powerful player on the field, CBT ‘‘came a long way.’’ The article tracks the various steps CBT took to become a vital modality and then detail recent advances that work to sustain its prestigious status. Instead of rigidly sticking with traditional roots, CBT continues to evolve with current progress by partnering with neuroscience, restructuring into a flexible modular system to be applied to a wider number of youth, and capitalizing on technological advances. CBT developers also adapt practices to increase cultural salience. Friedberg, Hoyman and colleagues emphasize the importance of staying current and relevant during changing eras. Rialon-Berry and Lai provide an informative summary of use of technology to supplement and transform conventional delivery of CBT. Most youth embrace technology and are able to access the internet and mobile devices. Rialon-Berry and Lai review the current available computerand internet-based programs noting the gains youth make in these programs. Mobile applications available for download to devices help youth generalize skills or improve self-monitoring; this technology allows for easy-to-track outcomes that are likely more reliable. Rialon-Berry and Lai caution that technological advances come with some warnings: these new tools

The significance of dry forest income for livelihood resilience: The case of the pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the drylands of southeastern Ethiopia

There is a growing interest to take into account dry forests in planning sustainable development in arid and semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa. A mixed quantitative and qualitative research design involving various data collection tools was employed to examine the significance of dry forest income and associated conditioning factors in the context of pastoral and agro-pastoral production systems of southeastern Ethiopia. Income from livestock and dry forests were the first and second most important components of the total household income. Dry forest income accounts 34.8% and 35.2% of the total household income and 38% and 46% of the total household cash income in the Liben and Afdher Administrative Zones of Somali National Regional State, respectively. It was the largest income compared to all other incomes added together for 45% of the respondents. Most notably, for very poor households, dry forest income contributes up to 63% of their total income. Dry forest income levels varied significantly with occupation (P<0.05), pastoralists generating more income than agro-pastoralists. Dry forest income enables 24% of households to remain above the poverty line, and it reduces income disparity by 13.7%. Moreover, dry forest income has become increasingly important for households' ex-ante risk and ex-post drought coping strategies. The number of youths per household (P<0.001), access to extension services (P<0.001), and being member of a cooperative (P<0.05) significantly affected dry forest income levels in both Zones. Findings of this study could apply to similar dryland eco-regions in the Horn of Africa and contribute to enhance promotion of sustainable management of dry forests for integrated livelihood adaptation, biodiversity conservation and combating desertification. Further research is needed to quantify the contribution dry forests make to livelihoods through livestock production and to develop options that will guide policy making process to generate additional economic incentives for communities and countries to be engaged in sustainable management and use of dry forests.

Disability Identification and Self-Efficacy among College Students on the Autism Spectrum

The number of youth on the autism spectrum approaching young adulthood and attending college is growing. Very little is known about the subjective experience of these college students. Disability identification and self-efficacy are two subjective factors that are critical for the developmental and logistical tasks associated with emerging adulthood. This study uses data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study 2 to examine the prevalence and correlates of disability identification and self-efficacy among college students on the autism spectrum. Results indicate nearly one-third of these students do not report seeing themselves as disabled or having a special need. Black race was associated with lower likelihood of both disability identification and self-efficacy.

A Cross-sectional Study Examining Factors Associated with Youth Binge Drinking in the COMPASS Study: Year 1 Data

Frequent alcohol use and binge drinking are associated with numerous negative health outcomes. Using data from 17,497 grade 9 to 12 students participating in the COMPASS Study (Year 1), we examined the factors associated with current alcohol use and current binge drinking. Overall, 38.4% of students were considered current alcohol users and 25.5% were current binge drinkers. Tobacco or marijuana use, bullying others, weekly spending money, ethnicity, and grade were associated with increased likelihood of current alcohol use and current binge drinking. It is evident that a substantial number of youth in the Year 1 COMPASS sample report frequently using alcohol and in volumes considered harmful to their health. Considering that numerous risk factors were found to predict alcohol use and binge drinking, future research should evaluate the impact of tailoring interventions to change the modifiable factors associated with high-risk drinking or targeting interventions to at-risk youth.

Different sizes, similar challenges: Out of home care for youth in Germany and the Netherlands

While there is a large difference in the number of young inhabitants in the Netherlands and Germany, their child protection frameworks are quite similar. In both countries, child protection services are mainly focused on youth aged 0 to 18 and regulations are aimed at clients' responsibility and their active involvement during care. Youth care services consist of community-based services, day treatment and out- of-home care services, which include foster care and residential care. The history of out-of-home care services in both countries is characterized by similar developments. Over the last four decades, similar trends in residential care, towards more small-scale forms of residential care, smaller residential group sizes, and increasing professionalization of staff have emerged. Over the last two decades, a comparable trend towards increasing professionalization can be seen in the context of foster care in both countries. In addition, the number of youths in out-of-home care increased in both countries over the last decade, specifically in foster care. Over the last decade, more studies have been conducted in residential care than in foster care in both countries. Despite similar trends and developments in out-of-home care practice, research mainly shows differences in applied topics and methods between Germany and the Netherlands. © 2013 Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid. Production by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved. Tamano diferente, retos similares: Medidas de proteccion a la infancia con separacion familiar en Alemania y Holanda RESUMEN

A Pilot Examination of Outcomes From an Adolescent Residential Treatment Facility Health and Wellness Intervention on Body Mass Index

Specific Aims and Methodological Design: Using a pre–posttest design, the objective of this exploratory pilot study is to test the outcomes of a comprehensive wellness group intervention in reducing obesity measured by body mass index (BMI) for adolescents living in a residential treatment facility (RTF). The second major objective of this study is to test possible interactions of demographic and diagnostic characteristics on the outcome BMI percentage. The first hypothesis is that the wellness group intervention will significantly improve participants’ BMI from unhealthy to healthy ranges. To analyze the first hypothesis, the overweight and obese BMI ranges will be combined to create the unhealthy category. Secondly, it is hypothesized that the intervention will significantly improve individuals’ BMI ranges from obese to overweight, and from overweight to healthy weight when comparing pre- to posttests. Lastly, it is hypothesized that post-BMI percentage will be predicted by pre-BMI categories (obese, overweight, and healthy). Sample: The participants were sampled from an existing RTF and consisted of 28 adolescents, both male with serious and chronic emotional disorders. Demographic information was unavailable for two of the 28 participants in this study. Data Collection and Measures: Participants’ BMI (N = 28) was measured at pre- and post-testing by the staff members at the RTF as well as demographic and diagnostic data including gender, ethnicity, age, and mental and physical health diagnosis (N = 26). Data Analysis and Results: Demographic and diagnostic data was analyzed using descriptive frequencies. Data on pre–post BMI measures was analyzed using McNemar chi-square analyses. All of the hypotheses were supported. Results indicate that participants significantly improved their BMI scores from pre- to posttesting—specifically the number of youth in unhealthy ranges significantly improved to healthy ranges; and, the number of youth who moved from obese to overweight, and overweight to healthy improved. Lastly, results indicate that pre-BMI categories were significantly predictive of post-BMI percentage. Conclusions: The findings of this pilot study have implications for practice, policy, and research in all areas of child and adolescent wellness, including social work, psychology, health, medical, and education, to name a few. Results indicate that providing a comprehensive health and wellness intervention that integrates all aspects of well-being, is perhaps a worthwhile intervention to improving the health of youth in residential treatment facilities. Limitations include a small sample size and limited methodological rigor due to design (pre–posttest single group design with no control). An additional limitation is the lack of data on psychotropic medication use for the sample. While the current research is a pilot exploratory study, it provides valuable information for future research with larger sample sizes and the use of control groups.

Risky behaviors among youths in Mumbai metropolitan region

Youths in India are powerful agent of economic change. In globalization, youths are expected to gain maximize skills, health and knowledge. But some youths are involved in risky behaviors. They are involved in driving vehicles, smoke cigarettes, drinking alcohol, physical fight, depression, sexual involvement and suffer from malnutrition. The result shows that male in Mumbai metropolitan region are more involved in driving vehicles, smoking cigarettes, physical fight, drinking alcohol. The female have more depression and they are malnourished. More numbers of youths are involved in different risky behaviors in Mumbai city as compare to Youths in Thane, Vasai-virar, Navi-Mumbai, Mira Bhaynder, Bhiwandi-Nizampur and Ulhasnagar city. The logistic regression for multiple risky behaviors shows that boys are more involved in driving vehicles. Those youths walk to college, spend more time in college and travel by train have more multiple risky behaviors. Youths those drive car are more likely to have multiple risky behaviors. The policy of counseling to youths by psychologist, parents and teachers is required at immediate level. Youths must be restricted to drive different vehicles, drink alcohol and smoking. Parents must observe the changing behaviors of youths and provide them counseling. There is need to alter of risky behaviors among youths by neighbors, relatives and police in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Girls must be given health care and nutrition at household level. Long term policies at household, society and regional level are required to reduce the risky behaviors among youths. Key words: Nutrition, household, health care.

Juventude, trabalho e desenvolvimento: elementos para uma agenda de investigação

A crise econômica pós-2008, acompanhada de grandes protestos sociais em toda parte, acendeu a luz vermelha nos países mais ricos quanto às oportunidades de trabalho e estudo dos jovens. Aumentou muito a proporção daqueles que não estudam nem trabalham, em especial na Espanha e na Grécia, mas o fenômeno é disseminado nos países mais ricos. O artigo mostra que, no Brasil, a condição "nem nem" é estrutural, e propõe um modelo analítico de explicação das transformações ocorridas entre 2000 e 2010. Sugere que as mudanças estruturais por que passou o país e as políticas públicas de redução de barreiras ao acesso à escola e ao mercado de trabalho reduziram o impacto das desigualdades regionais e aumentaram o peso da pobreza na explicação da condição "nem nem" dos jovens.