Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Physical and sexual violence, mental health indicators, and treatment seeking among street-based population groups in Tegucigalpa, Honduras / Violencia física y sexual, indicadores de salud mental y búsqueda de tratamiento en grupos de población en situación de calle en Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Navarro, Javier Rio; Cohen, Julien; Arechaga, Eva Rocillo; Zuniga, Edgardo.
  • Navarro, Javier Rio; Médecins Sans Frontières. México, DF. MX
  • Cohen, Julien; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale. Marseille. FR
  • Arechaga, Eva Rocillo; Médecins Sans Frontières. Tegucigalpa. HN
  • Zuniga, Edgardo; Médecins Sans Frontières. Tegucigalpa. HN
Rev. panam. salud pública ; 31(5): 388-395, may 2012.
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-638513
ABSTRACT
Objective. To establish the prevalence of exposure to physical and sexual violence, mental health symptoms, and medical treatment-seeking behavior among three street-based subpopulation groups in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and to assess the association between sociodemographic group, mental health indicators, and exposure to violence. Methods. An anonymous, cross-sectional survey among randomly selected street-based adolescents, adults, and commercial sex workers (CSWs) was undertaken at the end of 2010 in Tegucigalpa. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) mapped places where the study population gathers. Stratified probability samples were drawn for all groups, using two-stage random sampling. Trained MSF staff administered on-site standardized face-to-face questionnaires. Results. Self-reported exposure to severe physical violence in the previous year was 20.9% among street-based adolescents, 28.8% among adults, and 30.6% among CSWs. For the physical violence event self-defined as most severe, 50.0% of the adolescents, 81.4% of the adults, and 70.6% of the CSWs sought medical treatment. Their exposure to severe sexual violence was 8.6%, 28.8%, and 59.2%, respectively. After exposure to the self-defined most severe sexual violence event, 14.3% of adolescents, 31.9% of adults, and 29.1% of CSWs sought treatment. Common mental health and substance abuse symptoms were highly prevalent and strongly associated with exposure to physical (odds ratio 4.5, P < 0.0001) and sexual (odds ratio 3.7, P = 0.0001) violence. Conclusions. Exposure to physical and sexual violence reached extreme levels among street-based subpopulations. Treatment-seeking behavior, particularly after severe sexual violence, was limited. The association of mental health and substance abuse symptoms with exposure to violence could lead to further victimization. Medical and psychological treatments targeting these groups are needed and could help decrease their vulnerability.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Rape / Stress, Psychological / Urban Population / Violence / Mental Health / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prevalence study / Qualitative research / Risk factors Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Central America / Honduras Language: English Journal: Rev. panam. salud pública Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2012 Type: Article Affiliation country: France / Honduras / Mexico Institution/Affiliation country: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale/FR / Médecins Sans Frontières/HN / Médecins Sans Frontières/MX

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS

Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Rape / Stress, Psychological / Urban Population / Violence / Mental Health / Mental Disorders Type of study: Diagnostic study / Observational study / Prevalence study / Qualitative research / Risk factors Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Child / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Central America / Honduras Language: English Journal: Rev. panam. salud pública Journal subject: Public Health Year: 2012 Type: Article Affiliation country: France / Honduras / Mexico Institution/Affiliation country: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale/FR / Médecins Sans Frontières/HN / Médecins Sans Frontières/MX