Association between adverse experiences in childhood and risk of chronic diseases in adulthood / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of childhood adverse experiences among adults aged 18-59 years and understand the association between childhood adverse experiences and risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was conducted with a questionnaire among adults aged 18-59 years selected through cluster random sampling from 3 communities in Macheng, Hubei province. Uinivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between adverse experiences in childhood and the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 1 767 adults aged 18-59 years were surveyed and 1 501 valid questionnaires were returned. The average age was (36.32± 10.20) years for males and (35.72±9.08) years for females. The prevalence rate of childhood adverse experiences was 66.22%. The risk of chronic disease in adults increased with the increase of the score indicating childhood adverse experiences (Z=-5.902 1, P<0.000 1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being physically abused (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.41-2.64), substance abuse in family (OR=2.82, 95% CI 1.16-6.80), being bullied (OR=2.59, 95% CI 1.39-4.80) and parents separation/divorce (OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.09-2.09) were significantly associated with risk of chronic diseases in adulthood.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of adverse childhood experiences was high in adults aged 18-59 years, which was significantly associated with the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood. Early prevention of chronic diseases should be conducted in childhood.</p>