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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

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01-08-2020 | Suicide | Full length manuscript

Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Health Risk Behaviors Among College Students in Zambia

Authors: Jie Zhang, Bo-wen Tang, Ming-wei Liu, Shuai Yuan, Hong-jie Yu, Rui Zhang, Xiao-chang Huang, Selestine H Nzala, Mpundu Chikoya, Pei-gang Wang, Qi-qiang He

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 4/2020

Abstract

Background

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to long-term health outcomes, while the impact of such experience has not been investigated among Zambian youth. This study examined the associations of ACEs with individual and clusters of health risk behavior among college students in Zambia.

Method

A total of 624 college students participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on their ACEs and health risk behaviors.

Results

There were 58.3% (364) reporting some forms of ACEs, with 27.6% (172), 16.3% (102), and 14.4% (90) being exposed to 1, 2, and ≥ 3 ACEs, respectively. The prevalence of health risk behaviors ranged from 6.0 to 34.2%. Overall, ACEs were associated with increased risk of smoking, binge drinking, suicide attempt, risky sexual behaviors, and illicit drug use. Logistic regression suggested that participants with ≥ 3 ACEs (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.14–6.13) were more likely to engage in the unhealthy cluster, characterized by the presence of any health risk behavior, than those without ACE.

Conclusion

ACEs were associated with individual and clustering of health risk behaviors among Zambia college students. Our study suggests that early intervention is needed to prevent long-term adverse health consequences in this population.

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Title: Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Health Risk Behaviors Among College Students in Zambia
Authors: Jie Zhang
Bo-wen Tang
Ming-wei Liu
Shuai Yuan
Hong-jie Yu
Rui Zhang
Xiao-chang Huang
Selestine H Nzala
Mpundu Chikoya
Pei-gang Wang
Qi-qiang He
Publication date: 01-08-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Suicide
Suicide
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09863-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Health Risk Behaviors Among College Students in Zambia

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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