Search results for “victim

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6 articles

Animals in the COVID-19 Era: Between Being a source, Victims, or Maybe our Hope to Overcome it!

Sep 2020 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-20-3481
Gupta ShilpiCorresponding author Division of Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry Lab, National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR), I-7, Sector-39, Noida, India.

The indirect misuse of animals usually correlated to catastrophic consequences like the one we are facing now, novel coronavirus disease-19. However, the source of infection is not fully confirmed yet. But the finger of blame points to bats and pangolins. Hence, understanding and raising awareness about wild animals and the consequences of their misuse are a must to avoid future pandemics. Herein, we threw light on the most animals involved in the current epidemic as well as possible animals in the shadow. Random serological investigations of samples from animals of different species (including asymptomatic animals) are required to understand the prevalence and severity of the infection, the extent of the transmission, and the monitoring of the situation over time. Moreover, alleviating fear associated with the possibility of human infection from their pets, we highlight that there are no reports that confirm this hypothesis; however, the opposite has been reported. Similarly, there is no proof that pigs can become infected amplify or spread novel coronavirus.

Ordeals of Sexually Violated Women and Access to Comprehensive Healthcare: A Case Study of Victims of Sexual Violence in North Kivu, Eastern Congo

May 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2381-862X.jwrh-18-2068
Mbuisi Eale Brigitte KatshieteCorresponding author School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden

Background: The impact of sexual violence in any community is extremely devastating and women in the Eastern part of the Congo are no exception. Sexual violence not only affects the health of women, but it impacts their social life within the community too. Objective: The study aims to investigate the experiences of female victims of sexual violence in accessing medical care in North Kivu. Design: An interpretive, phenomenological approach was used for this inductive and qualitative study. In-depth informant interviews were the main data collection tool. Open-ended questions were used during the interviews in order to garner more information from the interviewees. Heidegger’s approach was utilized in analyzing the collected data. Results: The analyzed and interpreted results of the data indicated that survivors of sexual violence are engaged in an ongoing struggle. The victims demonstrated immense resilience despite the lack of comprehensive medical care and have continued to reassemble their broken lives. In order to present the outcomes of the research in a succinct and coherent manner, the outcomes are categorized into five sub-themes: managing worries and shame; regaining happiness; healing and restoration; the need for professional assistance and struggles in daily life. Conclusion: The study provides an understanding of the recovery processes of survivors of sexual violence in North Kivu, with important insights into dimensions that rehabilitation programs should take into consideration.

The Role of Helmet Use on Severity and Pattern of Maxillofacial Injuries Among Motorcycle Crash Victims Attending Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Jun 2017 DOI 10.14302/issn.2473-1005.jdoi-16-1193
Mugisha Rwenyonyi CharlesCorresponding author Department of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala

The objective of the study was to establish the role of helmet use on severity and pattern of maxillofacial injuries among motorcycle crash victims attending Mulago Hospital. This was descriptive cross sectional case series study using a questionnaire in form of an oral interview, clinical examination and review of medical records of the patients. The pattern of injuries was assessed based on the demarcated regions of the face. The severities of the injuries were scored using the Facial Injury Severity Scale. The data were analysed using SPSS version 17.0. There were 105 participants (male/female: 97/8) aged 15 to 63 years. Most participants (n= 74, 70.5%) were riders and the rest were passengers. There were no female riders. Most participants were from Kampala and surrounding districts. Overall, 35.2% of the participants had helmets: 50% of the riders and 0% of the passengers. About 73% o the participants used Three Quarter Shell helmet design. There was no significant difference in the pattern of injuries between the passengers and non helmeted riders (p=0.076). There was a higher frequency helmeted riders (n = 15, 40.5%) with pan-facial fractures compared to other participants. Non helmeted riders and passengers had significantly more injuries to the lower two thirds of the face compared to the helmeted riders. Passengers had less severe facial injuries compared to riders. We conclude that about a third of the participants who were riders used helmets, being particularly the Three Quarter Shell design. The helmeted riders had more severe maxillofacial injuries and of panfacial category as compared to other participants. The passengers had least severe injuries compared to riders. It is recommended to carry out further studies to elucidate on motorcycle related maxillofacial injuries especially in regard to the quality of helmets and their adequate use.

Pandemic Impact on Population Structure

Oct 2022 DOI 10.14302/issn.2692-1537.ijcv-22-4319
V. Ezepchuk YuriiCorresponding author Professor of Biochemistry, Denver, Colorado, USA

The victims of the first wave of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus Covid-19 were tens of millions of people in the population inhabiting the Earth. A previously unknown strain of Covid 19, which has a specific affinity for lung tissue and high contagiousness, has demonstrated a global danger to the life of the population of the entire planet. The pathogenicity of the virus is due to a three-segment structure, in which the RNA-containing segment, which is a pathogenicity factor responsible for specific lesions, most likely has an enzymatic nature.

Drug Abuse among Street Children

Nov 2018 DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-18-2291
Muhammed Bah YahyaCorresponding author University of The Gambia, School of Arts and Sciences, Brikama Campus, The Gambia, West Africa

In The Gambia like all nations, drug abuse is seen as a social and health problem that has many serious implications for the physical, social, psychological and intellectual development of the victims more especially, the children. Therefore, it continues to be a concern to families, community leaders, educators, social workers, health care professionals, academics, government and its development partners. Though there are some studies on drug abuse, there is none on children and drug abuse focusing on the street children the most vulnerable category. Street children are hypothesized to be more at risk of any epidemic including drug abuse. This study sought to determine the risk and prevalence of drug abuse among street children focusing on those in the car parks. The research was focused on six critical areas: level of knowledge of drug abuse, perception towards it, level of knowledge of the causes of it in the community and among street children, level of knowledge of negative impacts of it, level of knowledge of the preventive methods; and level of knowledge of the support services and treatments needed by victims. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from thirty five participants (i.e. one driver and six casual apprentices from each of the five car parks) were interviewed. The data was presented and analyzed using tables and percentage. The findings revealed among other things, that there is high level of awareness of drug abuse but the feelings towards it are mixed. Like other children, street children are abusing drugs mainly due to peer influence with the ultimate objective of getting high to relief stress, group recognition, desire to be trusted by peers, etc. Similarly, participants are highly aware of the negative impacts encompassing fighting, stealing, mental illness, etc. To finance the behavior, victims are engaged in all types of dangerous antisocial behavior including romantic ones exposing them to a range of diseases including STIs and HIV/AIDS. Marijuana is the most commonly abused drug. Though in the minority, some have started experimenting cocaine/coke, hashish; and heroin. While participants have good knowledge of the critical methods to fight drug abuse, the support services needed by victims, victims are mostly reluctant to seek the services not only because they are hard to find but fear societal stigmatization, exclusion and discrimination and professionals’ maltreatments.

SCL-90-R and Suicide Ideation in Torture and War Survivors Receiving Psychotherapy

Jun 2018
Ladislav Valach,Corresponding author Lindenstrasse 26,3047 Bremgarten, Switzerland.

Objectives: Torture survivors suffer psychosocial distress such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Patients with PTSD and depression have increased risk for suicidal behavior. The aim of this study is to identify those torture and war survivors who have suicidal thoughts and describe their psychological profile as assessed in SCL-90-R. The patients of the Swiss Red Cross Centre for Torture Victims receiving psychotherapy were monitored with the SCL-90-R (N=58). Results: Out of 56 patients 32 (57%) declared that they did not suffer under the thought to end their own life (0=not at all), 10 (18%) indicated that they suffered substantially (scale value 3) or extremely (4) while 14 (25%) suffered somehow (1, 2). The endorsement of the suicide ideation correlates highly with all SCL-90-R scales, particularly with the scale Depression and PTSD indicating that the patients with suicide ideation also show considerable psychopathology. The scale Depression explained 40% of the variance of the suicide thoughts item and the scale Anger-hostility added another 5%. Conclusion: Suicide prevention should be an important part of the treatment and care in dealing with war and torture survivors.

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