Aggression and Conduct Disorder in Young Children. A Case Report

Childhood Onset Conduct Disorder [CD] is a condition characterized by at least one symptom of conduct disorder (based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria—Fifth Edition) prior to 10 years of age. Children affected exhibit disruptive behaviors, usually negative, hostile, and defiant behavior similar to Oppositional Defiant Disorder [ODD]. As the child gets older they begin to display more characteristic of Conduct Disorder (lying, fighting, and stealing, vindictive behavior). These children are also likely to have comorbidities including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, poor academic achievement, and substance abuse. Distinguishing early between symptoms of Conduct Disorder versus other differential diagnoses is essential in effective treatment. Early intervention with these children leads to a better prognosis and likelihood of functioning in society. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing a young child with Childhood Onset Conduct Disorder.

Global,regional and national burdens of bipolar disorders in adolescents and young adults:a trend analysis from 1990 to 2019

Background Bipolar disorder is identified as a cause of severe damage to the physical,psychological and social functioning of adolescents and young adults.Aims The aim of this study is to ascertain the trends in the burden of bipolar disorder among individuals aged 10-24 years at global,regional and national levels from 1990 to 2019.Methods The data analysed in this study were from the Global Burden of Diseases 2019.The numbers,rates per 100000 population,average annual percentage changes(AAPCs)of incidence,prevalence and years lived with disability(YLDs)of bipolar disorder are reported at the global,regional and national levels among individuals aged 10-24 years.Global trends by age,sex and Social Development Index(SDI)were further analysed.Results Globally,the incidence of bipolar disorder among adolescents and young adults increased from 79.21 per 100000 population(95%uncertainty interval(Ul):58.13 to 105.15)in 1990 to 84.97 per 100000 population(95%Ul:61.73 to 113.46)in 2019,AAPC 0.24(95%confidence interval(Cl):0.22 to 0.26).In the past three decades,there has been an increase in incidence,prevalence and YLDs in both males and females.The largest increase in incidence between 1990 and 2019 was observed in those aged 20-24 years old from 51.76 per 100000 population(95%Ul:26.81 to 87.20)in 1990 to 58.37 per 100000 population(95%UI:30.39 to 98.55)in 2019;AAPC 0.42(95%Cl:0.38 to 0.47).By the SDI quintile,the largest increase in incidence was observed in the middle SDl;however,the high SDI countries had the highest incidence.Regionally,the largest increase in incidence was observed in southern Latin America.At the national level,the most pronounced increase in the incidence was in Greenland.Conclusions The global increase in incidence among adolescents and young adults between 1990 and 2019 indicates that strategies to improve their mental health still need to be emphasised.

Nutrition impacts of non-solid cooking fuel adoption on under-five children in developing countries

This paper examines the nutrition impacts of using non-solid cooking fuel on under-five children in developing countries.We draw on data from more than 1.12 million children in 62 developing countries from the Demographic and Health Surveys(DHS).Results from both fixed effects(FE)and instrumental variable(IV)estimates show that using non-solid cooking fuel significantly improves the nutrition outcomes of under-five children.Compared with their peers from households mainly using solid fuel,children from households mainly using non-solid fuel exhibit a lower probability of experiencing stunting(by 5.9 percentage points)and being underweight(by 1.2 percentage points).Our further investigation provides evidence for several underlying mechanisms,such as improved indoor air quality,induced reduction in children’s respiratory symptoms,benefits on maternal health,and reduction in maternal time spent on fuel collection or cooking.Heterogenous analyses suggest that the nutrition benefits of using non-solid cooking fuel are more prominent among boys,children above three years old,and those from households of lower socioeconomic status,rural areas,and Southeast Asia.

How Do Young Children Manage Their Reputation among Peers?

Young children’s reputation management is closely related to their social development.The purpose of our study is to examine the interaction between theory of mind and partner choice on children’s reputation management.Participants consisted of 270 children who were 3 to 5 years old.First,we measured participants’theory of mind capabilities using the unexpected location task and unexpected content task and then randomly divided the participants into the control group,non-partner–choice group,and partner-choice group.We measured reputation management by comparing children’s willingness to share and sharing behavior between these groups.Thefindings are as follows:(1)Children from ages 3 to 5 demonstrated reputation management,and their reputation management followed a significant developmental trend.The reputation management of 4-to 5-year-old children was significantly better than that of 3-year-old children.(2)Scores on the theory of mind tasks positively predicted children’s reputation management.(3)Partner choice affected children’s reputation management.In the partner-choice group,children’s reputation management was more apparent.(4)Partner choice did moderate the relationship between theory of mind and children’s reputation management.In the partner-choice group,theory of mind had a stronger predictive effect on children’s reputation management.

Anemia status of infants and young children aged six to thirty-six months in Ma'anshan City:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Anemia in infants and young children can have long-term effects on cognitive and physical development.In Ma'anshan City,China,there has been growing concern about the prevalence of anemia among children aged 6 to 36 mo.Understanding the factors influencing this condition is crucial for targeted interventions and improving overall child health in the region.AIM To analyze the anemia status and influencing factors of infants and young children aged 6 to 36 mo in Ma'anshan City,China.Providing scientific evidence for reducing the incidence of anemia and improving the health level of children in this age group.METHODS The study encompassed 37698 infants and young children,aged from 6 to 36 mo,who underwent health examinations at the Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2018 to October 2022 were included in the study.Basic information,physical examination,and hemoglobin detection data were collected.Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the prevalence of anemia in children in the region,and univariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of anemia.RESULTS The mean hemoglobin level of infants and young children aged 9 to 36 mo increased with age,and the anemia detection rate decreased with age.The anemia detection rate in rural infants aged 6,9,and 12 mo was higher than that in urban infants.Although the anemia detection rate was higher in 6-mo-old boys than girls,it was higher in 24-mo-old girls than boys.There were statistically significant differences in the anemia detection rates among 9-mo-old and 12-mo-old infants with different nutritional statuses(emaciation,overweight,obese,and normal).Moreover,there were no statistically significant differences in anemia detection rates among infants and young children with different nutritional statuses at other ages.Besides,the anemia detection rates in obese infants aged 9 and 12 mo were higher than those in normal and overweight infants,with statistically significant differences.Finally,there were no statistically significant differences in the anemia detection rates between emaciation infants and those with other nutritional statuses.CONCLUSION The anemia situation among infants and young children aged 6 to 36 mo in Ma'anshan City,China,is relatively prominent and influenced by various factors.Our result shown that attention should be paid to the anemic infant and young child population,with strengthened education and targeted prevention and dietary guidance to help them establish good living habits,improve nutritional status,and reduce the occurrence of anemia to improve children's health levels.

中国式现代化语境下主流节目IP创设的询唤机制解析——以“家国young貌”系列节目为例

在Web3.0时代,数字信息技术为主流节目IP的交互共享提供了技术支持,但节目内容的泛娱乐化倾向导致部分主流节目叙事传播不畅。文章以中央广播电视总台2023年系列节目“家国young貌”为例,剖析当代主流节目的破圈实践,并结合询唤理论,从话语下沉、仪式沉浸、知行规训三方面提出主流节目IP创设对培植文化自信、建构精神谱系的作用机制。

Mortality from Stroke in Young People in Brazzaville

Introduction: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are an absolute neurovascular emergency and the main cause of mortality and acquired disability in adults. In the Congo, stroke is the leading cause of mortality and the leading cardiovascular emergency, with a hospital frequency of between 49.74% and 56.2%. The aim of the study was to identify the mortality factors associated with stroke in young people in Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: This is a longitudinal analytical study conducted from February to period from February to September 2019 in the neurology, general intensive care and medical emergency departments of the Brazzaville University Hospital (CHUB). All subjects aged 18 - 55 years of completed age, admitted for arterial stroke confirmed by brain imaging, were included. Study variables were: age, gender, socioeconomic level, laterality, time to admission and CT scan, vascular risk factors, history of cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, TIA (transient ischemic attack) or stroke, NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score, Glasgow score, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, occurrence or non-occurrence of complications, blood glucose, creatinine, lipid profile and blood count. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Descriptive analyses were performed using SPSS 21 software. Results: 103 patients were included in the study, of whom 45 (43.7%) had ischemic stroke and 58 (56.3%) with hemorrhagic stroke. Mortality was high at 29.1% in our study, and mainly concerned hemorrhagic strokes (73.7%). Two-week mortality in our study accounted for 63.33% of total lethality. After simple logistic regression, the factors associated with death within two weeks were age between 40 - 44 years (OR (odds ratio) = 2.95;p = 0.01), hemorrhagic stroke (OR = 1.41;p = 0.07), mass effect (OR = 3.26;p < 0.01), ventricular flooding (OR = 2.86;p < 0.001), Glasgow score (OR = 2.95 (0.92 - 9.43);p = 0.06), NIHSS score on admission > 15 (OR = 5.89 (2.90 - 11.95);p < 0.001) and bronchopulmonary infection (OR = 30, 95 (4.04 - 236.88), p < 0.001). From multivariate logistic regression, only NIHSS score on admission > 15 emerged as a predictor of death within two weeks (OR = 5.89 (2.90 - 11.95);p Conclusion: This study confirms the basic data of the African literature concerning stroke, as several factors were identified as independent factors associated with mortality.

Comment on: Observation of peripheral refraction in myopic anisometropia in young adults

Dear Editor,We read with great interest the recently published article titled“Observation of peripheral refraction in myopic anisometropia in young adults”by Du et al[1].The study conducted at the InEye Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM provides valuable insights into the relationship between anisometropia and peripheral refraction in myopic young adults.We commend the authors for their thorough investigation and adherence to ethical guidelines.While the study contributes significantly to our understanding of myopic anisometropia,we would like to draw attention to some limitations that merit consideration for a comprehensive interpretation of the findings.

Comment on:Recurrence after spontaneous separation of epiretinal membrane in a young woman:a case report

Dear Editor,Herein,we provide a commentary on the recently published article by Zeng QZ and Yu WZ[1].This case report provides interesting novel insights into the recurrence of epiretinal membrane(ERM)following self-separation in a young patient.In addition to the study,we have been investigating spontaneous ERM release for many years and have recently published a related paper[2].

Acute Coronary Syndrome of Young Subjects at the Luxembourg Mother-Child University Hospital in Bamako

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome is often the first event of coronary disease of young subjects. Objective: To study sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of acute coronary syndrome of young subjects. Patients and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with prospective recruitment from October 01, 2020 to March 31, 2022. Were included all patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome whose age was less or equal to 45 years and who had undergone coronary angiography at the Mother-Child University Hospital on Luxembourg from Bamako. Results: During the study period, we collected 60 patient files out of 198. These 60 patient files met our inclusion criteria. Hospital frequency was 30.30%. Average age of patients was 40.43 ± 3.9 years. Sex ratio M/F was 5.3. Main cardiovascular risk factor was smoking tobacco (23.42%), followed by dyslipidemia (13.92%). Functional signs were dominated by angina 62% followed by dyspnea 25.3%. Persistent ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram was present in 76.4%. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction was present in 26.5%. Time to first medical contact was more than 12 hours in 62.7% of cases. Radial approach was adopted in 94% of cases. Coronary angiography was pathological in 85% (n = 51) of cases. Lesions were single-vessel disease in 47.1% and culprit artery was anterior interventricular in 51% of cases. Dual anti-platelet aggregation was aspirin and ticagrelor in 91.8% of cases. Angioplasty was performed in all patients who had significant abnormalities at coronary angiography. In-hospital mortality was 3.9%. Conclusion: Acute coronary syndromes exist in young Africans with a male predominance. Main cardiovascular risk factor is smoking tobacco. Coronary lesions are single vessel disease in the majority of case. Most of patients meet medical team after 12 hours. Time to first medical contact is a main challenge in our country.

Epidemiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Prognostic Profile of Non-Tuberculous Community-Acquired Purulent Pleurisy in Children at the Bouaké University Hospital Center, 2017-2021

Introduction: In Côte d’Ivoire, there is a scarcity of data on children’s purulent pleurisies. Objective: This study aims to elucidate the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and evolutionary facets of non-tuberculous purulent pleurisies in pediatric patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the medical records of children aged one month to fifteen years with purulent pleurisies at Bouaké University Hospital Center from January 2017 to December 2021. Results: The study identified 124 cases of purulent pleurisies, constituting 18% of lower respiratory tract infections and 0.8% of all hospitalizations. The majority of these cases (69%) were in children between 1 and 24 months of age. Prominent symptoms included dyspnea (85.5%), O2 saturation below 95% in room air (76.6%), respiratory distress (68.5%), cutaneous-mucosal pallor (63.7%), and fever (43.5%). Radiological findings predominantly showed right-sided pleurisy (62.1%). The pleurisy was often extensive (78.2%), accompanied by pneumothorax (37.1%), alveolo-interstitial opacities (8.1% of cases), and abscess formations (1.6%). Pleural fluid cultures were positive in 46.9% of cases, with Staphylococcus aureus (75%, methi-S) identified among 32 bacteria. Initial antibiotic treatment was empirical, favoring oxacillin (53.2%) or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (53.2%) in dual (42%) or triple therapy (33%) with gentamicin (64.1%) and/or metronidazole (21.8%). Treatments also included pleural drainage (68.5%) or repeated evacuation punctures (33.1%), and blood transfusion (39%). The mortality rate was 18.8%. Conclusion: Non-tuberculous purulent pleurisy remains a significant concern in pediatric hospitalizations at the CHU of Bouaké, marked by high mortality rates.

Evaluation of Interferon-Gamma Release Assay Testing and Tuberculin Skin Test for Early Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of interferon-γ release assay (IGRA), a sensitive microbiological diagnostic method, in children and adolescents with suspected tuberculosis in a country with a high burden of tuberculosis. Method: This study included 581 children and adolescents aged 4 - 19 years who were suspected of having tuberculosis, were latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and had received at least one dose of BCG vaccine between April 17, 2019, and February 24, 2021. The study evaluated the TST results of 106 patients who had a positive Quantiferon test and were suspected of having tuberculosis. Results: The study included 581 patients aged between 4 and 19 years. Of these, 106 patients tested positive for the Quantiferon test, while 19 were indeterminate and 456 were negative. The Quantiferon test positivity rate was 18.24%. Among the 106 QFT-Plus-positive cases, 23 patients also tested positive for TST. The difference in distribution was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: The QFT-Plus test is considered an alternative to TST and other microbiological diagnostic methods for early tuberculosis diagnosis, particularly in children and adolescents.

Ultrasonic manifestations and age distribution of internal abdominal hernia in children

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations and age distribution of internal abdominal hernia in children.Methods Data of 53 children with internal abdominal hernia confirmed by operation were retrospectively analyzed.The ultrasonic findings were observed,and the age distribution of children was analyzed.Results Among 53 cases,"cross sign"was observed in 22 cases(22/53,41.51%),and"hernia ring beak sign"was detected in 26 cases(26/53,49.06%)by preoperative ultrasound,according to which 21 cases were diagnosed as internal abdominal hernia,with the accuracy of 39.62%(21/53).Meanwhile,manifestations of intestinal obstruction were noticed in 48 cases(48/53,90.57%),and intestinal necrosis was considered in 22 cases(22/53,41.51%).Four cases were misdiagnosed as intestinal perforation,appendicitis,intestinal atresia and volvulus,each in 1 case.The onset age of postoperative adhesive band internal hernia was larger than that of mesenteric hiatal hernia(P<0.05),while no significant difference of onset age was found among other types of internal abdominal hernias(all P>0.05).Intestinal ischemic necrosis was found in 25 cases,while the incidence of intestinal necrosis in children aged≤1 year,>1 and≤3 years,>3 and≤7 years and those>7 years was 66.67%(12/18),33.33%(4/12),36.36%(4/11)and 41.67%(5/12),respectively.Conclusion The characteristic ultrasonic findings of internal abdominal hernia in children included"cross sign"and"hernia ring beak sign".Internal abdominal hernia in children under 1 year had high risk of intestinal necrosis.

Audits of Death in HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents Followed up in the Pediatric Department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori from 2005 to 2020

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality among children. The objective of this work was to audit the deaths of children and adolescents with HIV infection followed up in the pediatric department of the Regional Teaching Hospital of Borgou/Alibori (CHUDB/A) the from 2005 to 2020. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective and descriptive study conducted in the pediatric department of CHUD/B-A in Parakou. All children with HIV infection who died from January 1, 2005 to August 31, 2020 were included. Data collection was carried out in three stages: a phase of medical records processing, a phase of community survey and a phase of death audits. The variables studied were sociodemographic, clinical, biological, therapeutic and evolutionary. Results: Over the study period, the data of 464 infected children were recorded, including 92 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 19.83%. Severe acute malnutrition (69.23%), gastro-intestinal tract infections (43.58%) and serious opportunistic pulmonary infections (24.36% pulmonary tuberculosis and 19.23% pneumocystis) were the main causes of death. The main dysfunctions found were: the delayed diagnosis of HIV infection (79.35%), the absence or delay in consultation when the child’s clinical condition deteriorates (32.61% and 47.83%), delayed initiation of antiretroviral treatment (42.39%) and non-adherence to treatment (38.04%). Non-adherence to treatment was predominant in adolescents (90.49%). Conclusion: Specific interventions for early detection, adequate nutritional care, psychosocial support for adolescents and mothers of children are necessary to reduce mortality due to HIV among children and adolescents.

Influence of Hemoglobin S Haplotypes on the Responses to Hydroxyurea Treatment in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Background: In Côte d’Ivoire so far, the circulating haplotypes have been inferred on the phenotypic profiling of SCD patients. The impact of the circulating haplotypes on the use of Hydroxyurea has not been assessed yet. Therefore the objective of this study is to identify in Abidjan the HbS haplotypes that modulate HU treatment responses. Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, children aged 5 to 15 years with SCD, and carrying the hemoglobin phenotypes SSFA2 and SFA2, were recruited into a HU treatment cohort. Various parameters on the haplotypes and the outcomes of the treatment were analyzed. Results: Thirty nine children with SCD were included. The phenotypic profile of the cohort was 86.6% of SSFA2 and 15.4% of SFA2. Three haplotypes were found, the Benin haplotype, the Senegal haplotype, and an atypical one. The participants belonged to three genotypes, Benin/atypical (64.1%), Benin/Senegal (33.3%) and Senegal/Senegal (2.6%). Overall, HU treatment was successful in all haplotypes with 12 out of 39 patients failing treatment after 12 months in the Benin haplotype group. The association between HU treatment success and the Benin haplotype was found in terms of the decrease in the number of white blood cells and the students missing class. Conclusion: The study revealed that inferring haplotype based on the phenotypic profile could be inaccurate. The proportion of atypical haplotype that were not previously described in Côte d’Ivoire was high. All the haplotypes seemed to be associated with HU treatment success but some patients with Benin haplotype did not respond well.

Emergency Care for Children and Adolescents after Sexual Violence, in Brazil’s Capital, Brasilia

Objective: Sexual violence affects women of all ages but, more commonly, children and adolescents. This study aimed to identify the extent to which services are being provided at the hospitals responsible for the emergency care of children and adolescents who have suffered sexual violence and to determine whether there is any difference in the provision of such services as a function of the victim’s age. Method: This cross-sectional study investigated differences in the care received by female children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence in a capital city, comparing the treatment given to girls under 15 with that given to adolescents of 15 to 19 years of age. The data were extracted from the State Department of Health database between 01/01/2012 and 31/12/2016. Results: Children under 15 were much less likely to receive prophylaxis against HIV, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B, with the number of adolescent girls treated adequately corresponding to between twice and almost three times the number of children treated prophylactically. Only 10% of girls under 15 received emergency contraception. Conclusion: The lack of standard care established by the Ministry of Health highlights the need for urgent debates both locally and probably throughout the country, as the situation may be similar in other regions of the country.

The optimal atropine concentration for myopia control in Chinese children: a systematic review and network Metaanalysis

AIM:To figure out whether various atropine dosages may slow the progression of myopia in Chinese kids and teenagers and to determine the optimal atropine concentration for effectively slowing the progression of myopia.METHODS:A systematic search was conducted across the Cochrane Library,PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,CNKI,CBM,VIP,and Wanfang database,encompassing literature on slowing progression of myopia with varying atropine concentrations from database inception to January 17,2024.Data extraction and quality assessment were performed,and a network Meta-analysis was executed using Stata version 14.0 Software.Results were visually represented through graphs.RESULTS:Fourteen papers comprising 2475 cases were included;five different concentrations of atropine solution were used.The network Meta-analysis,along with the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA),showed that 1%atropine(100%)>0.05%atropine(74.9%)>0.025%atropine(51.6%)>0.02%atropine(47.9%)>0.01%atropine(25.6%)>control in refraction change and 1%atropine(98.7%)>0.05%atropine(70.4%)>0.02%atropine(61.4%)>0.025%atropine(42%)>0.01%atropine(27.4%)>control in axial length(AL)change.CONCLUSION:In Chinese children and teenagers,the five various concentrations of atropine can reduce the progression of myopia.Although the network Meta-analysis showed that 1%atropine is the best one for controlling refraction and AL change,there is a high incidence of adverse effects with the use of 1%atropine.Therefore,we suggest that 0.05%atropine is optimal for Chinese children to slow myopia progression.

Management of Mandibular Fractures in Children in Ivory Coast: Experience of the Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at the University Hospital of Cocody from 2000 to 2019

Introduction: Mandibular fractures in children are becoming increasingly common. Treatment of these fractures is difficult due to their anatomical and physiological complexity. Therefore, there is a need for well-codified management. Our main aim was to develop a decision algorithm for the management of mandibular fractures in children based on our experience. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out in the Department of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital of Cocody over a period of 20 years (2000-2019). Results: We enrolled 58 patients. The mean age of the patients was 9.35 ± 2.3 years with a sex ratio of 2.22. Traffic accidents were the main cause of mandibular fractures (60.35%). Condylar fractures were the most common (46.87%). Treatment was orthopedic in 45.76% of cases, mixed (orthopedic and surgical) in 24.14% and surgical in 5.17%. Patients were followed up weekly for 1 month, then monthly for 6 months and annually for 3 years, with panoramic radiographs of the maxilla starting at 21 days. We observed 2 cases of complications: temporomandibular ankylosis and gingival stomatitis. Conclusion: Mandibular fractures are common in children. Management is difficult due to anatomical and physiological peculiarities. The choice of treatment depends on several criteria.

Effects of Maternal Death on Children Living in the Sagnarigu Municipality

Introduction: The greatest effect of maternal mortality is renowned in children aged 2 - 5 months whose mothers had died. Children whose mothers died due to maternal complications were likely to record a higher mortality in infancy compared to children of surviving mothers. Motherless children mostly suffer a lot due to lack of day-to-day care, isolation, lack of motivation as well as economic cost associated with mother’s death. Thus, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the lives of children whose mothers passed away during childbirth at the Sagnarigu Municipality. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out at the Sagnarigu Municipal. The study recruited 297 respondents. To assess the effects of maternal death on the lives of children, families that experienced maternal death were assessed. The number of pregnancies experienced by the deceased woman, pregnancy-related complaints experienced, determinants of maternal death, number of children alive, and their standard of living were assessed with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Results: The data showed that negligence, illiteracy, poor road access, poverty, ignorance, delays in recognizing the problem, delays in making appropriate decisions, delays in the health facility, delays in giving the appropriate treatments, and traditional beliefs were some of the factors that led to maternal death in the Sagnarigu Municipality. Conclusion: The study concluded that determinants of maternal death in the Sagnarigu Municipal included the following;negligence, illiteracy, poverty, and delays in recognizing the problem. The study findings also demonstrated that the effects of maternal death on children are diverse and cut across different areas of a child’s life including livelihood sustenance, healthcare, education, and emotional and psychological development.

Alcohol and illicit drugs:prevalence of alcohol and illicit drug use and their predictors in young people from Argentina,Bulgaria,Chile and Romania

Background:Alcohol and illicit drugs(AID)continue to be a major global health concern.Although preventable,AID is linked to millions of deaths annually worldwide.The situation is particularly grave for young people,with AID being a major direct risk factor for disability-adjusted youth life-years lost and death.It further contributes to assaults,road crashes,accidental poisoning,and suicide,leading to long-term issues and public health concerns.Objective:This study aimed at disclosing current AID prevalence data for Argentinian,Bulgarian,Chilean and Romanian youth.It shed light on the predictors of AID in young people from those countries.Method:The study used an online survey to gather data from people aged 18 to 25(n=1,297).The survey was underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour(TPB).Predictors were investigated separately for drinking alcohol and using illicit drugs.Results:Our data revealed that across the four target countries,49%to 90%of the participants drank alcohol,and 8%to 35%used illicit drugs in the past three months.Between 20%and 91%of them intended to drink,and between 8%and 31%intended to use illicit drugs in the following three months.Our TPB model predicted statistically significant(P<0.001)amounts of variance in drinking alcohol(between 61%and 72%)and using illicit drugs(between 20.3%and 74.4%).Intention was consistent in significantly predicting both behaviours.Evidence around the predictive validity of self-efficacy,age and gender was mixed across the investigated countries.Conclusion:This research provided an update on the scarce AID epidemiological data.It also supplied evidence about what theoretically-informed measures might be useful targets of interventions in the case of Argentina,Bulgaria,Chile and Romania.This new knowledge of understanding substance abuse determinants and prevalence may help researchers and practitioners better meet young people's health prevention needs.