The moderation effect of identity exploration and basic psychological needs satisfaction on flourishing of Chinese rural children

Abstract Most studies equate children's mental health to a state of flourishing, which is a positive feeling and functions in their lives. Identity exploration and the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs are universal and crucial indicators of children's flourishing. First, according to identity crisis theory, children in the pre-adolescence period begin to explore their own identities, a process which significantly affects their development and flourishing. Meanwhile, self-determination theory points out that the basic psychological needs, namely the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, are essential for children's development and flourishing in the worldwide. Accordingly, this study examined how identity exploration affects the flourishing of rural children in China, one kind of collectivism cultural contexts, with the interaction effect of identity exploration and basic psychological needs satisfaction. To understand the interaction effect of identity exploration and basic psychological needs satisfaction on rural children's flourishing, we form a theoretical framework combining identity crisis theory and self-determination theory. Both these two theories emphasize the importance of self in facilitating mental health and the development of functioning. Specifically, identity crisis theory focuses on intrapsychic process, while self-determination theory stresses the influence of the surrounding environment on the individual, which provides a solid foundation for integrating these two theories to explore rural children's flourishing in China. Accordingly, this study collected 520 left-behind children and 475 other rural children in Liaoning Province in Mainland of China, and used regression analysis to measure the associations among variables. This study found that identity exploration and basic psychological needs satisfaction positively affect rural children's flourishing respectively, while their interaction effects negatively affect on their flourishing.

Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province. Methods A total of 104 survey sites were sampled from 35 counties (cities) in Henan Province using the stratified cluster sampling method to investigate the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children from 2014 to 2015. The trophozoites and cysts of intestinal protozoa were identified using the iodine staining method and the physiological saline direct smear method (one detection for one stool sample). The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was compared among rural children with different characteristics, and the factors affecting intestinal protozoan infections among rural children were identified. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was 0.60% (40/6 771) among rural children in Henan Province from 2014 to 2015. There were 7 species of intestinal protozoa identified, and there was no species-specific prevalence (χ2 = 37.732, P = 0.000). No significant differences were found in prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in terms of gender (χ2 = 1.793, P = 0.181), age (χ2 = 1.443, P = 0.486), occupation (χ2 = 0.219, P = 0.896) or ecological region (χ2 = 1.700, P = 0.637). In addition, terrain (χ2 = 2.311, P = 0.510), economic level (χ2 = 4.322, P = 0.229), source of drinking water (χ2 = 0.731, P = 0.393), eating raw vegetables (χ2 = 1.134, P = 0.287) and deworming (χ2 = 1.089, P = 0.297) had no remarkable effects on the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among rural children in Henan Province; however, the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections varied significantly among rural children living in regions with different coverage of non-harmless toilets (χ2 = 10.050, P = 0.018). Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections is low among rural children in Henan Province.

Prevalence and determinants of xerophthalmia in rural children.

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is recognized as a major cause of blindness among children in India. Aims & Objective: The study was planned to find out prevalence Of VAD in rural children. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was undertaken amongst children (0-15 years) in a rural area selected by simple random sampling out of villages under a Primary Health Centre. Out of 844 children 802 participated in study. WHO classification of xerophthalmia was adopted in study to find out prevalence. Results: Overall prevalence of xerophthalmia was 5.4 %. Only the milder manifestations of xerophthalmia viz. night blindness and Bitot’s spots were observed. Not a single case of active corneal involvement was seen. Prevalence of Bitot’s spots was 0.9 % in children under 6 years of age and 3.3 % in children above 6 years of age. Prevalence of xerophthalmia was significantly more in older children. Higher prevalence (Not significant) was observed in males, lower socioeconomic status as well as in large family. Overall prevalence of anaemia was found 11.8 % in study population. Significantly high prevalence of xerophthalmia (Odds ratio 5.7) was observed in children suffering from anaemia. Conclusion: Presence of milder manifestation of xerophthalmia and 0.9 % prevalence of Bitot’s spots in children under 6 years of age in present study shows declining trend of VAD (but still a public health problem since prevalence is more than 0.5 %) and 3.3 % prevalence in children above 6 years of age shows that apart from strengthening of Vitamin A prophylaxis programme to increase coverage, health education is needed for dietary diversification to include vegetables and fruits in the diet for long-term sustainability in improving vitamin A status of children of all age

Investigation on the unintentional injuries among rural children in Shaanxi province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the current status of unintentional injuries among rural children aged 0-12 years in Shaanxi.Methods Using a three-stage stratified random sampling method to study the status of unintentional injuries among 4668 children aged 0-12 years old during the period of 2010 in rural areas of Shaanxi province.Results The overall incidence of injure was 27.3％,with boys as 28.7％ and girls as 25.6％ respectively(x2=5.91,P=0.015).Age differences in unintentional injuries rate were also significant(x2=9.91,P=0.007),with children under 0-3 years old having the highest rate of injuries,followed by 7-12 and 4-6 year-olds.Falls took the leading type of accidence among both sexes and all age groups.Poorer the family economic situation was,higher the incidence of unintentional injuries appeared.Conclusion Falls was the leading cause of unintentional injuries among rural children in Shaanxi province,with age 0-3 year group appeared the highest to suffer unintentional injuries.Unintentional injuries were associated with the economic status of the families.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitoses in urban and rural children of a developing country

Objective:To compare intestinal parasitoses between urban and rural children in developing countries and its related factors. Methods:Children of 1-6 years old in the urban and rural areas who had not taken antihelmenthic drugs in the last 6 months were randomly selected. Various factors were taken as variables in a preformed questionnaire. Results:Among the total 52 children, 24 were in urban and 28 were in rural group. Male/female ratio of the rural group was 1:1 and that of the urban group was 1.4:1. Average income was 12 000 taka and 4 000 taka per month in urban and rural areas, respectively. None of the rural group used sanitary latrine, whereas every one in urban group used sanitary latrine. Majority (71%) of the mothers in rural group were below the primary level of education. Majority (75%) of fathers were educated above higher secondary level in urban group. In the rural group 18 (64%) fathers had not received any education. Enterobius vermicularis was observed only in 1 (4%) stool samples of urban children but in rural group it was found in 7 (25%) of the stool samples. Enterobius vermicularis was the main parasite isolated from both groups. Exclusive breast feeding practice of less than 6 months was observed in 20 (83%) children of urban group but in rural group that of less than one year was found in 22 (78%) children. Conclusions:Intestinal parasitic infestation is mostly found in rural children. Urban children almost have no intestinal parasitoses. It has the relation with the poor sanitation, low standard of living, less parental income and education, and early weaning. Unnecessary universal deworming of the urban and rural children in developing countries should be discouraged in order to use the money economically and effectively. It can be carried out in rural children and their living standard should be improved.

Socio-economic Determinants of Severe and Moderate Stunting among Under-Five Children of Rural Bangladesh

Introduction: Malnutrition among under-five children is a chronic problem in developing countries. This study explores the socio-economic determinants of severe and moderate stunting among under-five children of rural Bangladesh. Methods: The study used data from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey. Cross-sectional and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effect of the socio-demographic variables on moderate and severe stunting over normal among the children. Results: Findings revealed that over two-fifths of the children were stunted, of which 26.3% were moderately stunted and 15.1% were severely stunted. The multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis yielded significantly increased risk of severe stunting (OR=2.53, 95% CI=1.34-4.79) and moderate stunting (OR=2.37, 95% CI=1.47-3.83) over normal among children with a thinner mother. Region, father’s education, toilet facilities, child’s age, birth order of children and wealth index were also important determinants of children’s nutritional status. Conclusion: Development and poverty alleviation programmes should focus on the disadvantaged rural segments of people to improve their nutritional status.

Social Behavior and Peer Status of Aggressive and Victimized Rural Chinese Children / 中国临床心理学杂志

Objective:To investigate the behavior profiles and correlates of subgroups of aggression and victimization in a rural children sample.Methods: 744 primary school children (10.96?1.32 years old) were investigated through peer nomination. Results: Classifications resulted in three subtypes, the aggressive-victims (54 boys, 16 girls), non-aggressive victims (20 boys, 18 girls), and 41 non-victimized aggressors (33 boys, 8 girls). MANOVA revealed significant differences among these subtypes and between genders on an array of social behaviors. Post hoc comparisons suggested that aggressive-victims had the lowest peer acceptance, highest peer rejection, and higher social withdrawal. Compared with normal groups, non-aggressive victims also showed more behavioral problems. Conclusion:The aggressive-victims have lowest peer relations and highest aggression and victimization, the non-aggressive victims have highest withdrawal and shyness.