Urban children at risk of violence: A qualitative study of experiences of parents, teachers, and service providers of collaborative support.

Children who are at risk of involvement in violence need assistance from multisector agencies such as social services, law enforcement, health, and education. The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions and experiences of parents, teachers, and service providers (i.e.

Family Therapy for Kosovar Mothers Who Experienced Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Their Children in Postwar Times: A Pilot Randomised Waitlist-Controlled Trial.

Women who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence report significant long-term effects, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and relationship difficulties. Research has demonstrated that maternal trauma is associated with children's behavioural difficulties and challenges in family functioning, such as impaired communication and harsh parenting. This pilot study is aimed at evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of family therapy for Kosovar mothers who experienced conflict-related sexual violence in 1998-1999 and later developed PTSD and their children in improving family functioning and reducing behavioural difficulties in postwar times.

DNA methylation in blood cells is associated with cortisol levels in offspring of mothers who had prenatal post-traumatic stress disorder.

Maternal stress during pregnancy is associated with differential DNA methylation in offspring and disrupted cortisol secretion. This study aimed to determine methylation signatures of cortisol levels in children, and whether associations differ based on maternal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Blood epigenome-wide methylation and fasting cortisol levels were measured in 118 offspring of mothers recruited from the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims.

Evaluation of an Alternative Learning System for youths at risk of involvement in urban violence in the Philippines.

Background: Globally, violence disproportionately affects young people, leading to injury, hospitalisation, death, social dysfunction, and poor mental wellbeing. Moreover, it has far-reaching economic consequences for whole nations, due to loss of productivity. Research suggests that attaining a higher level of education promotes factors that insulate youths from poverty and violence.

Intergenerational effects of maternal post-traumatic stress disorder on offspring epigenetic patterns and cortisol levels.

To investigate the association between maternal post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during pregnancy and offspring DNA methylation and cortisol levels. Blood genome-wide DNA methylation and cortisol was measured in the youngest child of 117 women who experienced sexual violence/torture during the Kosovo war. Seventy-two percent of women had PTSD symptoms during pregnancy.

Correction to: does multidisciplinary rehabilitation of tortured refugees represent 'value-for-money'? A follow-up of a Danish case-study.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported a correction in the name of one of the authors.

Does multidisciplinary rehabilitation of tortured refugees represent 'value-for-money'? A follow-up of a Danish case-study.

Background: The recent surge of asylum seekers in the European Union (EU) is raising questions about the EU's ability to integrate newcomers into the economy and into society; particularly those who need specialized services for the treatment of severe trauma. This study investigated whether rehabilitating traumatised refugees represents 'value-for-money' (VfM) in terms of intervention cost per health gain and in a long-term and societal perspective.

Methods: The economic evaluation comprised a cost-utility analysis (CUA) and a partial cost-benefit analysis (CBA).

Economic evaluation of a bio-psycho-social intervention for comorbid disorders in a traumatized population in post-war Kosovo.

Objective: Post-hoc economic evaluation of a bio-psycho-social intervention in post-war Kosovo from a societal perspective.

Design: Cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis, and partial cost-benefit analysis using data from a randomized controlled trial.

Patients: Thirty-four torture/war victims with comorbid conditions enrolled in 2012-2013.

A novel bio-psycho-social approach for rehabilitation of traumatized victims of torture and war in the post-conflict context: a pilot randomized controlled trial in Kosovo.

Background: Some evidence showed that multidisciplinary rehabilitation in Western countries is effective for treating war-related trauma, but it remains unclear whether this approach is applicable to civilians living in resource-poor countries affected by war. In 2012-14, Danish Institute against Torture (DIGNITY) conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT), in partnership with Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT), to examine the effects of multidisciplinary intervention among victims of torture and war in Kosovo.

Methods: A single-center, randomized, parallel-arm, single-masked, waiting-list controlled trial was implemented in northern Kosovo.

Global research priorities for interpersonal violence prevention: a modified Delphi study.

Objective: To establish global research priorities for interpersonal violence prevention using a systematic approach.

Methods: Research priorities were identified in a three-round process involving two surveys. In round 1, 95 global experts in violence prevention proposed research questions to be ranked in round 2.

Survivors of war in the Northern Kosovo (II): baseline clinical and functional assessment and lasting effects on the health of a vulnerable population.

Background: This study documents torture and injury experience and investigates emotional well-being of victims of massive violence identified during a household survey in Mitrovicë district in Kosovo. Their physical health indicators such as body mass index (BMI), handgrip strength and standing balance were also measured. A further aim is to suggest approaches for developing and monitoring rehabilitation programmes.

Survivors of the war in the Northern Kosovo: violence exposure, risk factors and public health effects of an ethnic conflict.

Background: The aim of this population-based study was to assess the long-lasting effects of ethnic conflict on health and well-being (with a focus on injury and persistent pain) at family and community level. We have also investigated possible risk factors for victimisation during the conflict and factors contributing to healing.

Methods: We conducted a district-level cross-sectional cluster survey of 1,115 households with a population of 6,845.

Household exposure to violence and human rights violations in western Bangladesh (II): history of torture and other traumatic experience of violence and functional assessment of victims.

Background: Organised crime and political violence (OPV) and human rights violations have marred Bangladesh history since 1971. Little is known about the consequences for the oppressed population. This study describes the patterns of OPV and human rights violations in a disturbed area of Bangladesh and assesses the physical, emotional and social functioning of victims.

Household exposure to violence and human rights violations in western Bangladesh (I): prevalence, risk factors and consequences.

Background: The ruling parties in Bangladesh have systematically used violence against political opponents and criminals. It is essential to 1) determine the magnitude and burden of organised crime and political violence (OPV) and human rights violations in the affected community, and to 2) identify the risk factors and key indicators for developing effective health intervention and prevention measures.

Methods: The population-based study consisted of two parts: a household survey and OPV screening at mobile clinics (presented in Part II).

Evaluation of a mass distribution programme for fine-mesh impregnated bednets against visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan.

During an epidemic of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in eastern Sudan, Médecins Sans Frontières distributed 357,000 insecticide-treated bednets (ITN) to 155 affected villages between May 1999 and March 2001. To estimate the protective effect of the ITN, we evaluated coverage and use of ITN, and analysed VL incidence by village from March 1996 to June 2002. We provided ITN to 94% of the individuals >5 years old.

Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) IV: epidemiology of urban malaria in Cotonou (Benin).

Background: An estimated 40 % of the population in Benin lives in urban areas. The purpose of the study was to estimate malaria endemicity and the fraction of malaria-attributable fevers in health facilities in Cotonou.

Methods: A health care system evaluation and a series of school parasitaemia surveys and health facility-based surveys were carried out during the dry season in of 2003, applying standard Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) methodology.

Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) II: epidemiology of urban malaria in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania).

Background: The thinking behind malaria research and control strategies stems largely from experience gained in rural areas and needs to be adapted to the urban environment.

Methods: A rapid assessment of urban malaria was conducted in Dar es Salaam in June-August, 2003 using a standard Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) methodology. This study was part of a multi-site study in sub-Saharan Africa supported by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership.

Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) III: epidemiology of urban malaria in the municipality of Yopougon (Abidjan).

Background: Currently, there is a significant lack of knowledge concerning urban malaria patterns in general and in Abidjan in particular. The prevalence of malaria, its distribution in the city and the fractions of fevers attributable to malaria in the health facilities have not been previously investigated.

Methods: A health facility-based survey and health care system evaluation was carried out in a peripheral municipality of Abidjan (Yopougon) during the rainy season of 2002, applying a standardized Rapid Urban Malaria Appraisal (RUMA) methodology.

Rapid urban malaria appraisal (RUMA) I: epidemiology of urban malaria in Ouagadougou.

Background: Rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa has a major impact on malaria epidemiology. While much is known about malaria in rural areas in Burkina Faso, the urban situation is less well understood.

Methods: An assessment of urban malaria was carried out in Ouagadougou in November -December, 2002 during which a rapid urban malaria appraisal (RUMA) was applied.

Rapid urban malaria appraisal (RUMA) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The rapid urban malaria appraisal (RUMA) methodology aims to provide a cost-effective tool to conduct rapid assessments of the malaria situation in urban sub-Saharan Africa and to improve the understanding of urban malaria epidemiology.

Methods: This work was done in Yopougon municipality (Abidjan), Cotonou, Dar es Salaam and Ouagadougou. The study design consists of six components: 1) a literature review, 2) the collection of available health statistics, 3) a risk mapping, 4) school parasitaemia surveys, 5) health facility-based surveys and 6) a brief description of the health care system.