Validation and factor structure of the Thai version of the EURO-D scale for depression among older psychiatric patients

Objectives: To assess the concurrent and the construct validity of the Euro-D in older Thai persons

Rural–Urban Migration and Experience of Childhood Abuse in the Young Thai Population

Evidence suggests that certain migrant populations are at increased risk of abusive behaviors. It is unclear whether this may also apply to Thai rural–urban migrants, who may experience higher levels of psychosocial adversities than the population at large. The study aims to examine the association between migration status and the history of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse among young Thai people in an urban community. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Northern Bangkok on a representative sample of 1052 young residents, aged 16–25 years. Data were obtained concerning: 1) exposures—migration (defined as an occasion when a young person, born in a more rural area moves for the first time into Greater Bangkok) and age at migration. 2) outcomes—child abuse experiences were assessed with an anonymous self report adapted from the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS). There were 8.4%. 16.6% and 56.0% reporting sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, respectively. Forty six percent of adolescents had migrated from rural areas to Bangkok, mostly independently at the age of 15 or after to seek work. Although there were trends towards higher prevalences of the three categories of abuse among early migrants, who moved to Bangkok before the age of 15, being early migrants was independently associated with experiences of physical abuse (OR 1.9 95%CI 1.1–3.2) and emotional abuse (OR 2.0, 95%CI 1.3–3.0) only. Our results suggest that rural–urban migration at an early age may place children at higher risk of physical and emotional abuse. This may have policy implications for the prevention of childhood abuse particularly among young people on the move

The burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region

This study estimated the health and economic burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region, addressing a significant gap in the current evidence base. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the prevalence of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and witnessing parental violence. Population Attributable Fractions were calculated and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost from physical and mental health outcomes and health risk behaviors attributable to child maltreatment were estimated using the most recent comparable Global Burden of Disease data. DALY losses were converted into monetary value by assuming that one DALY is equal to the sub-region’s per capita GDP. The estimated economic value of DALYs lost to violence against children as a percentage of GDP ranged from 1.24% to 3.46% across sub-regions defined by the World Health Organization. The estimated economic value of DALYs (in constant 2000 US$) lost to child maltreatment in the EAP region totaled US$151 billion, accounting for 1.88% of the region’s GDP. Updated to 2012 dollars, the estimated economic burden totaled US $194 billion. In sensitivity analysis, the aggregate costs as a percentage of GDP range from 1.36% to 2.52%. The economic burden of child maltreatment in the East Asia and Pacific region is substantial, indicating the importance of preventing and responding to child maltreatment in this region. More comprehensive research into the impact of multiple types of childhood adversity on a wider range of putative health outcomes is needed to guide policy and programs for child protection in the region, and globally

Rural-urban migration, illicit drug use and hazardous/harmful drinking in the young Thai population

AIMS: Limited data are available about whether rural–urban migration, often characterized by exposure to urban life stress and a reduction in social network and support, can affect the prevalence of illicit drug use and hazardous/harmful drinking. The purpose of our study was to examine the prevalence of these risky behaviours among Thai young adults and to describe their association between their migration status and these outcomes. DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A representative sample of 1052 residents, aged 16–25 years (467 males and 585 females) in a suburban community of Bangkok in 2003 and 2004. MEASUREMENTS: (i) Exposures— migration (defined as the occasion when a young person born in a more rural area moves for the first time into Greater Bangkok); and (ii) outcomes— illicit drug use was assessed with an anonymous self-report adapted from the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) and hazardous/harmful drinking with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). FINDINGS: The results showed that 10.9% (82 males and 17 females) had illicit drug use and 24.3% (179 males and 62 females) hazardous and harmful drinking. In multivariate analysis, rural–urban migration was not associated with illicit drug use, whereas hazardous/harmful drinking was associated independently with being late migrants, who moved at the age of 15 or older. CONCLUSIONS: Illicit drug use and hazardous/harmful drinking were common among young Thais. The potential effect of migration on hazardous and harmful drinking identified in this study may be helpful for the design and implementation of preventive measures

Family violence and its 'adversity package': a community survey of family violence and adverse mental outcomes among young people

BACKGROUND: Limited research has examined the relationship between common forms of family violence and their impacts. We (1) examine the co-occurrence of exposure to domestic violence (EDV) and physical abuse (PA) in childhood and their relations to intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood among the young Thai people, and (2) describe their associations with common adverse mental outcomes. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a community in Bangkok on a representative sample of 1,052 young residents, aged 16–25 years. Measurements were as follows: (1) exposures—the Conflict Tactics Scales were used to assess EDV and PA in childhood and IPV in adulthood, and (2) outcomes—common mental disorder and suicidal ideation were assessed with Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised, illicit drug use with Diagnostic Interview Schedule, and problem drinking with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. RESULTS: Those who reported EDV and PA were highly likely to report IPV (OR 9.3, 95% CI 4.4–19.4). In general, strong associations were found between exposure to each form of the violent experiences and all the adverse outcomes (adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.7 to 5.7). Those who had been exposed to the three types of violence, compared to none, were most likely to report all the adverse outcomes (odds ratios ranged from 4.3 to 17.3). CONCLUSION: Those who had experienced both kinds of the childhood violence were particularly likely to get re-victimised later in their life. A dose–response relationship was observed between the extent of exposure to violence and the adverse outcomes. There is a need to identify and prevent these experiences and their impact on children and young people

The experience of abuse and mental health in the young Thai population A preliminary survey

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence of child abuse exposure among Thai people in a suburban community and to describe the association of abuse experiences with common mental disorders (CMD), alcohol use disorders and substance use. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Northern Bangkok on a representative sample of 202 young residents, aged 16–25 years. RESULTS: Thirty eight percent of the respondents reported experiencing some form of abuse during childhood, with 5.8% having been subjected to sexual penetration, 11.7% having been physically abused and 31.8% emotionally abused. A graded relationship was found between the extent of exposure to abuse during childhood and mental problems. After controlling for potential confounders, CMD remained significantly associated with emotional abuse, and alcohol use disorders remained associated with sexual abuse. Strong but non-significant trends were present for associations between CMD and sexual abuse and all forms of abuse with substance use. CONCLUSION: Child abuse experiences were common among the respondents. Childhood abuse, particularly sexual abuse, has a potentially devastating impact on adult mental health