470 Adverse childhood experiences study among university students in Turkey

Abstract

BackgroundThere is a salient relationship between exposure to childhood traumatic events and negative health behaviours, and health status. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in a group of university students in Turkey and to evaluate the association of ACEs , with some health consequences including health risk behaviours.MethodsThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study. 2257 students of 5 universities in Turkey were enrolled into the study between the years 2012–2013. A questionnaire modified from the ACE Questionnaire developed by CDC and Kaiser Permanente was used in the study. The questionnaire includes 53 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, household dysfunction, childhood maltreatment, health risk behaviours, somatic complaints and health status.Results47.9% of the 2257 respondents were male and 52.1% were female. The mean age of respondents was 20.1 years. The overall prevalence of childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect and physical neglect was 21.1%, 7.9%, 9.8%, 8.8% and 5.7% respectively. 5.2% of respondents had divorced or separated parents. The overall prevalence of depression or suicide attempt, problem alcohol use, history of street drug use and involvement in crime or imprisonment in household members was 9.3%, 6.4%, 3.4% and 10.3% respectively. The ACE scores indicate that half of all respondents had a history of at least one ACE. ACE score was positively associated with health risk behaviours. The risk of smoking, harmful alcohol using and drug using increases dependently on the ACE score. Some health problems particularly emotional problems were associated with ACE score of the participants.ConclusionsThis study suggests that ACE prevalence, health risk behaviours and certain health problems are high in a group of young adults in Turkey. The data from this study does not only provide information about the magnitude of the problem but also evidence that underlines the need to prioritise child maltreatment besides.

Effects of early life factors on the health and quality of life of older adults

“…Second, paternal unconcern may negatively affect health indirectly through risky lifestyle behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol use, illegal drug use, and physical inactivity. 3,7,8 We found that the number of negative events experienced in early life was an important determinant of quality of life. This is consistent with previous studies that reported that experiencing too many traumatic events during early life decreased the quality of life in adulthood.…”

“…First, if parents are unconcerned, a child's health problems may be overlooked. Second, paternal unconcern may negatively affect health indirectly through risky lifestyle behaviours, such as smoking, alcohol use, illegal drug use, and physical inactivity …”

“…First, the frequency and results of negative experiences during childhood (including serious illnesses, poor living standards, abuse, violence, and other forms of childhood trauma) transfer to future generations, indicating that later interventions are potentially important . For example, a study by Bellis et al conducted from 2010 to 2013 in eight eastern European countries (including Turkey) involving 10 696 young adults (aged >18 years) reported that 52.6% of participants had at least one negative childhood experience . Second, these negative experiences may have important effects on health.…”

“…6 For example, a study by Bellis et al conducted from 2010 to 2013 in eight eastern European countries (including Turkey) involving 10 696 young adults (aged >18 years) reported that 52.6% of participants had at least one negative childhood experience. 7,8 Second, these negative experiences may have important effects on health. In a study conducted in the USA with adults aged 55-65 years, those who had experienced an important infectious disease during childhood had a 2.5, 1.7, 4.9, and 1.8 times higher risk for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, lung diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis, respectively.…”

Child sexual abuse knowledge/attitude scale for parents: Reliability and validity of the Turkish version

“…Each item is assessed between 1 and 5 points, with a total score range between 38 and 190 and a high score indicating a good level of knowledge and healthy attitudes associated with child abuse. Twenty-two items (3,4,6,9,10,11,15,17,18,20,21,23,25,27,28,29,30,32,33,34,35, and 36) on the scale are rated from "1-strongly disagree" to "5-strongly agree;" 16 items (1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 22, 24, 26, 31, 37, and 38) are rated in reverse, with the expression "strongly disagree" rated as "5," and the phrase "strongly agree" rated as "1. "…”