Dual harm among patients in the Ontario forensic mental health system.

Background: Dual harm involves the unfortunate experience of harm to self and others/objects. Safeguarding individuals in forensic psychiatric settings against all forms of harm to self and others is sacrosanct. While understanding dual harm is crucial in the care and rehabilitation of patients in forensic psychiatric settings, only a few studies have explored this phenomenon.

Weapon use during the index offense: a study among forensic psychiatry patients in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Understanding the nature and circumstances around the use of weapons to perpetrate an offense among individuals with mental illness is crucial for evidence-informed policies and actions. However, little is known about the prevalence and factors associated with weapon use during index offenses among patients in the forensic system. Therefore, the present study was designed to address this gap and determine the prevalence and the patient and victim characteristics associated with weapon use during the index offense in a Canadian province.

Preconception and gestational versus postnatal exposure to air pollutants and risk of autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The rising prevalence of ASD has prompted extensive research into potential environmental risk factors, with air pollution particularly emerging as a major concern. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of air pollutants and time of exposure (particularly, PM, PM, NO, and O) and the risk of ASD was therefore performed.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and PROSPERO registration (Ref: CRD42023464592), a thorough literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.

Characterizing the relationship between psychosis and violence in the forensic psychiatric population: a systematic review.

Objective: The relationship between psychosis and violence is often construed focusing on a narrow panel of factors; however, recent evidence suggests violence might be linked to a complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors among forensic psychiatric patients with psychosis (FPPP). This review describes violence incidents in FPPP, the factors associated with violence, and relevant implications.

Methods: This review was conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guideline.

The electro-convulsive therapy story of Africa, a systematic review.

Over the years, the use of Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has gained increasing acceptance as a viable treatment for managing treatment-resistant mental health conditions, and it is known to deliver more rapid therapeutic benefits than most treatment modalities in psychiatry. However, the practice of ECT exhibits significant variability both within and between countries. This review aimed to shed light on the status of ECT in the African context and its implications for mental health care in the region.

Filicide in Africa: a systematic review.

Background: Filicide, the act of a parent or parental figure killing their child, has been reported in various African countries. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on the prevalence and associated factors of filicide across the African continent, which is characterized by diverse cultural beliefs and practices. This review aims to examine the prevalence and risk factors of filicide in Africa.

Chronicity of self-harming behaviors among adolescent teenage girls living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda.

Background: Self-harming ideations demand targeted research due to their persistent nature, especially among female adolescents within refugee populations who face unique challenges that can exacerbate self-harming tendencies. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with self-harming ideations chronicity among female teenagers living in refugee settlement in Northern Uganda.

Method: This cross-sectional study used a pretested questionnaire to assess self-harming ideations and other demographic characteristics.

Adverse childhood events and self-harming behaviours among individuals in Ontario forensic system: the mediating role of psychopathy.

Background: Adverse childhood events (ACEs), psychopathy, and self-harming behaviours are prevalent among individuals in the forensic psychiatry system. While existing literature suggests that ACEs, self-harm, and psychopathy are interrelated, little is known about the interplay of psychopathic traits in this relationship. The present study aimed to determine the mediating role of psychopathy in the relationship between ACEs and self-harming behaviours in forensic patients.

The level of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among orphan children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Many children and adolescents living with HIV have ended up as orphans. Due to HIV taking away their parents leaves them deprived of their most important social network and support, which predisposes them to poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Various studies have shown poor adherence to ART among orphaned children and adolescents.

Level of Knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Among the Teenage Mothers and Their Parents in Rwanda: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Parents are the primary caregivers and influential figures in adolescents' lives. They play a crucial role in shaping their children's attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding sexual reproductive health. A vast difference in knowledge between adolescents and their parents indicates failure in knowledge translation and is associated with sexual and reproductive consequences, such as teenage pregnancies.

The caring experiences of family caregivers for patients with advanced cancer in Uganda: A qualitative study.

Background: Cancer morbidity and mortality is rising in sub-Saharan Africa. Given this rise, family caregivers play an integral role in provision of quality cancer care services. This study explored the family caregivers (FCGs)/relatives' experiences of caring for patients with advanced cancer (stage 3 or stage 4) in Uganda.

The opioid crisis fuelled by health systems: how will future physicians fare?

The opioid crisis continues to affect many areas worldwide, raising questions regarding prescribing indications. There is no consensus on negotiating the need for pain relief and the potential for medically prescribed opioid-related harm/addiction. These issues present an enormous educational challenge to physicians in training, particularly those whose mandate is to understand and respond to varying forms of pain.

Quality of life and relapse of Opioid Use Disorder: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) greatly influences the outcomes of patients with mental illnesses and there is evidence that there is an association between QoL and the relapse of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). However, no reviews elucidate the relationship between QoL and the relapse of OUD. This document provides a scoping review protocol that aims to systematically chart and synthesise the published, unpublished and grey literature about the relationship between QoL and relapse of OUD.