Romany Children Research Articles

Anthropometry of Romany school age children from eastern Slovakia

Abstract Study aim: The aim of the study was to perform an anthropometric analysis of children of the minority population of younger school age from eastern Slovakia. Material and methods: The main aim of the study was to perform an anthropometric analysis of 6–10-year-old Romany children at primary schools in eastern Slovakia. In the study, we evaluated twenty measured anthropometric parameters in a group that consisted of 150 children (59 boys and 91 girls). Results: We compared the differences between the sexes and evaluated the body size effect between sexes. We found that in most of the measured parameters, the boys had higher average values. Conclusions: Our results confirmed differences in size for most somatic characteristics in the minority Slovak population. However, in order to confirm the findings, it will be necessary in future to evaluate a larger sample of children from Slovakia.

TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOMATIC PARAMETERS AND MOTION PERFORMANCE IN ROMANY CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE

The paper presents the results of research covering 596 Romany children of primary school age. The research objective was to identify the somatic parameters and the motion performance of 7- to 10-year old Romany boys and girls. In order to determine the trends in the development of these children, the results were compared to those presented in Horváth (2001). The latter research covered 1093 Romany children living in East Slovakia. We evaluated the data in terms of statistical significance of the differences between the results obtained in 2000 and 2019. We analyzed the somatic parameters and motion performance of Romany children attending primary school in terms of improved or worse results during the period of 19 years. We calculated the basic statistical values and tested the hypotheses by Student t-test. The results are summarized in tables and diagrams. It was found out that the somatic parameters of Romany boys and girls of all age categories have significantly improved. The motion performance has also improved in a statistically significant manner, however, this finding does not hold for all test items not for all age categories.

TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOMATIC PARAMETERS AND MOTION PERFORMANCE IN ROMANY CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE

The paper presents the results of research covering 596 Romany children of primary school age. The research objective was to identify the somatic parameters and the motion performance of 7- to 10-year old Romany boys and girls. In order to determine the trends in the development of these children, the results were compared to those presented in Horváth (2001). The latter research covered 1093 Romany children living in East Slovakia. We evaluated the data in terms of statistical significance of the differences between the results obtained in 2000 and 2019. We analyzed the somatic parameters and motion performance of Romany children attending primary school in terms of improved or worse results during the period of 19 years. We calculated the basic statistical values and tested the hypotheses by Student t-test. The results are summarized in tables and diagrams. It was found out that the somatic parameters of Romany boys and girls of all age categories have significantly improved. The motion performance has also improved in a statistically significant manner, however, this finding does not hold for all test items not for all age categories.

TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOMATIC PARAMETERS AND MOTION PERFORMANCE IN ROMANY CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE

The paper presents the results of research covering 596 Romany children of primary school age. The research objective was to identify the somatic parameters and the motion performance of 7- to 10-year old Romany boys and girls. In order to determine the trends in the development of these children, the results were compared to those presented in Horváth (2001). The latter research covered 1093 Romany children living in East Slovakia. We evaluated the data in terms of statistical significance of the differences between the results obtained in 2000 and 2019. We analyzed the somatic parameters and motion performance of Romany children attending primary school in terms of improved or worse results during the period of 19 years. We calculated the basic statistical values and tested the hypotheses by Student t-test. The results are summarized in tables and diagrams. It was found out that the somatic parameters of Romany boys and girls of all age categories have significantly improved. The motion performance has also improved in a statistically significant manner, however, this finding does not hold for all test items not for all age categories.

TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOMATIC PARAMETERS AND MOTION PERFORMANCE IN ROMANY CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE

The paper presents the results of research covering 596 Romany children of primary school age. The research objective was to identify the somatic parameters and the motion performance of 7- to 10-year old Romany boys and girls. In order to determine the trends in the development of these children, the results were compared to those presented in Horváth (2001). The latter research covered 1093 Romany children living in East Slovakia. We evaluated the data in terms of statistical significance of the differences between the results obtained in 2000 and 2019. We analyzed the somatic parameters and motion performance of Romany children attending primary school in terms of improved or worse results during the period of 19 years. We calculated the basic statistical values and tested the hypotheses by Student t-test. The results are summarized in tables and diagrams. It was found out that the somatic parameters of Romany boys and girls of all age categories have significantly improved. The motion performance has also improved in a statistically significant manner, however, this finding does not hold for all test items not for all age categories.

Školní úspěšnost romských dětí

Vzdělávání představuje cestu, která vede ve většině případů k lepším možnostem v zaměstnání a následně ke zvýšení životní úrovně. Vzdělání romských rodičů a jejich dětí bývá ve většině případů završeno na speciální či základní škole. Jen nízké procento Romů pokračuje na střední škole, ještě nižší na škole vysoké. Školní úspěšnost představuje významný motivační faktor zejména na počátku školní docházky. Zjišťování školní úspěšnosti a faktorů, které se na ní podílejí, se stalo cílem tohoto výzkumu. Pro zjišťování školní úspěšnosti byly stanoveny následující oblasti: a) rodinné prostředí (přístup rodičů ke vzdělání svého dítěte, zájem o školní výsledky, domácí příprava na školu); b) předškolní příprava/docházka do předškolního zařízení; c) kamarádi a spolužáci (vztah k dětem); d) mimoškolní zájmová činnost (vyplnění volného času).Práce byla pojata jako kvalitativní výzkum, jehož cílem bylo zmapovat školní úspěšnost romských dětí na počátku školní docházky (v prvních a druhých třídách) z jejich pohledu a z pohledu jejich rodičů. Technikou terénního sběru dat se stal polořízený rozhovor, jenž byl doplněn pozorováním a analýzou dokumentů. Cílovou skupinou výzkumu se staly romské děti, které navštěvují Erko při Oblastní charitě Jihlava, a jejich rodiče.Výsledky výzkumu byly zpracovány formou případové studie. Vzhledem k velikosti souboru nelze jednotlivé údaje vyplývající z tohoto kvalitativního výzkumu zobecňovat na celou populaci Romů žijící v České republice. Autentické výpovědi osmi dětí a jejich rodičů v oblasti vzdělávání a školní úspěšnosti však mohou být považovány za doplnění k dnes tak významně diskutovanému problému. Získané výpovědi nám přibližují zkušenosti, myšlenky, přání, pocity a postoje samotných dětí a jejich rodičů k významu vzdělání a poukazují i na významnou roli učitelů a prostředí školy k romským žákům.

Výživa a stravovací režim romských dětí v Ústeckém kraji

V poslednich deseti letech byla na PF UJEP v Usti n. L. věnovana zvýsena pozornost problematice výživy a výživovým zvyklostem skolnich děti v zavislosti na životni urovni rodiny a vlivu prostředi. V letech 1998-2002 se staly předmětem výzkumu take výživove zvyklosti děti z rodin etnických Romů ve vybraných městech Usteckeho kraje, o nichž je znamo, že větsina z nich žije ve znevýhodněných socioekonomických podminkach.Udaje o stravovacich zvyklostech romských děti byly ziskany dotaznikovou metodou. Ke zjistěni nutricnich hodnot stravy byla použita inventorni modifikovana metoda podle Maska (in: Osancova et Hejda, 1974). Ziskaný inventorni seznam týdenniho stravovani jednotlivých děti (potravin a jidel) byl zpracovan na pocitacovem programu Výživa (Kotěsovec et al., 1993). Udaje o stavu výživy romských děti byly doplněny výsledky antropologickeho výzkumu.Výsledky ukazuji, že v roce 2002 se populace romských děti v Usteckem kraji stravuje pravidelněji než v roce 1998, tj. přizpůsobuje se stravovacim zvyklostem majoritni populace předevsim v pravidelnějsi konzumaci tři hlavnich jidel (snidaně, oběd, veceře). Denni přijem živin (nutricni hodnota stravy) naopak vykazuje zhorseni oproti roku 1998. Přijem bilkovin a sacharidů byl shledan nedostatecným, v přijmu hlavnich živin převažovaly tuky. S vyssim přijmem tuků souvisi vysoký přijem cholesterolu (131,4 % doporucene davky). Přijem vlakniny, vitaminu C, B2 a vapniku byl shledan naprosto nedostacujicim. Ve srovnani s dětmi majoritni populace vykazovaly romske děti nezavisle na pohlavi vyssi hodnoty BMI, větsi pocet jedinců s nadvahou a obeznich, a naopak nižsi pocet jedinců s podvahou a hubených.Uvedene výsledky dokladaji potřebu zvýseni zdravotnicke osvěty na skolach v oblasti výživy a prevence neinfekcnich chorob a nutnost osvěty romských žen, aby i za ztižených socioekonomických podminek byly schopny dodržovat zasady racionalni výživy.

Obesity of Children and Youth in Association with Psychosocial Factors of Family

ISEE-0447 Background and Objective: The worldwide increase in obesity prevalence is an epidemic. Obesity in childhood is a risk for obesity and obesity related diseases in adulthood. The purpose of the study was to evaluate an association between body mass index (BMI) and obesity and selected family psychosocial factors. Methods: We assessed overweight (BMI [kg.m−2] over 90th percentile) and obesity (BMI over 97th percentile) in children on the basis of 5th and 6th Slovak nationwide cross-sectional anthropometric surveys (1991, 2001) in representative samples (118,400 and 35,600 children and youth), 2 to 18-year-olds of both genders. Psychosocial data of families (education and occupation of parents, ethnicity and completeness of family) were obtained by questionnaire. The programs Microsoft Excel and S-Plus were used for analysis. Results: During the decade the mean value of BMI significantly increased only in 9 to 15-year-old boys (0.3–0.4 kg.m−2, P < 0.001) and in 7–11 year-old girls (0.15–0.4 kg.m−2, P < 0.01–P < 0.001); BMI mean value of boys in the age of 2–8 and 16–18 remain unchanged and in 12–18 year old girls was significantly decreased. Overweight and obesity was negatively associated with parental education. Significant negative relationships were identified between the incidence of overweight and maternal educational level in girls (P = 0.0025). Multiple linear regression did not confirm a significant association with ethnicity (Romany children and adolescents) and completeness of family. Studied socio-economic factors acted together with other patterns in the family (nutritional, physical activities, etc.). Conclusion: Although family social factors, particularly maternal educational level is related to children overweight, the associations vary according age and gender. Protection and promotion of children and youth healthy development requires optimal conditions based on knowledge of the interaction between the developing organism and influencing exogenous and endogenous factors. Supported by VEGA 1/4274/07.

Value of Education from the Perspective of the Romany People

I have been conducting a qualitative research for over two years studying what is the value attributed by the Romany people to education. In the Czech Republic and in Slovakia, Romany people live a sedentary way of life and intercultural relationships are established and exchanges occur at various levels. Although the two (or three) cultures sharing the same space know each other , there is also a number of misunderstandings. On the ''political'' level the Romany people have the right to use their language but Romany language is the mother tongue only for a small number of Romany people. In the researched community, different respondents expressed different opinions on what attitude should be taken towards the Romany language. In the area of education, the major identified issue was the fact that approximately 70% of Romany children attend elemntary practical schools instead of the standrad elementary schools. After leaving these schools they have very limited opportunities in terms of their choice of secondary education. Children are transferred to elementary practical schools mainly due to the lack of experience on part of their parents who do not understand what are the requirements placed by standard elementary schools on the pupils' home preparation for the lessons. The original Romany culture is oral with not reading tradition. It is not surprising that for the members of the Romany community education may become something that is very difficult to integrate into their set of values.

Mortality Reasons of Romany Children in Eastern Slovakia

The presented speech gives information on mortality reasons of Romany and non - Romany children at the age 0 - 18 years in Presov region of Eastern Slovakia. Statistical data about the number of lively - born children and about mortality rate from 1997 - 2003. Pathology diagnoses and questionnaires about death reason were used for the analysis. The most frequent reason of death of infants were congenital developing diseases specially those of cardiovascular and of central nervous system. There were on the first place, from the death reasons, injuries, on the second place, pathological state of CNS and on the thir d place oncological diseases and infections. From the injuries leading to death of children at the age 1 - 18 the most frequent was dro wning, next crash injuries, accident falls, suicides, murders and death because of burning or of electric strikes.

Analbuminemia in a Slovak Romany (gypsy) family: Case report and mutational analysis

Background Analbuminemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder manifested by the absence, or severe reduction, of circulating serum albumin. Here we report three new cases of hereditary analbuminemia, fortuitously detected in three Slovak Romany children, members of the same family, and define the molecular defect that causes the analbuminemic trait. Methods Total DNA, extracted from peripheral blood samples from six members of the family, was PCR-amplified using oligonucleotide primers designed to amplify the 14 exons of the human albumin gene and the flanking intron regions. The products were screened for mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and heteroduplex analyses (HA). HA allowed the identification of the abnormal fragment, which was then sequenced. Results In the 3 patients the analbuminemic trait was caused by the same mutation, an AT deletion at nucleotides 2430–31, the 91th and 92th bases of exon 3. This defect, previously identified as Kayseri mutation [Galliano, M. Campagnoli, M, Rossi A, Wirsing von Konig CH, Lyon AW, Cefle K, et al. Molecular diagnosis of analbuminemia: a novel mutation identified in two Amerindian and two Turkish families. Clin Chem 2002;48: 844–9.], produces a frameshift leading to a premature stop, two codons downstream. The predicted translation product would consist of 54 amino acid residues. The parents were found to be heterozygous for the mutation. Conclusions Our results confirm that the combination of SSCP and HA represents a powerful tool to study the molecular defects causing analbuminemia in humans.

Polio re-emerges in Bulgaria

The first two cases of poliomyelitis in Europe since 1998 have been diagnosed in Bulgaria, according to the WHO and Bulgarian officials. A 13-month-old Romany child in the Black Sea city of Burgas developed acute flaccid paralysis on 24 March and poliovirus was identified three weeks later. Other Romany children were immediately vaccinated but, despite this, the virus was detected on 15 May in a two-year-old girl, whose legs and left arm were reportedly paralysed, in a location 90 km west of Burgas. The infectious agent was identified as poliovirus type 1 of a subtype associated with northern India. Bulgaria has not reported a case of poliomyelitis since 1991. CK http://www.eurosurv.org/update/