IIJFMT 4(1) 2006
Journal Scan
Factors associated with Spousal Physical violence in Albania: cross sectional study
Burazeri G, Roshi E, Jewkes R, Jordan S, Bjegovic V, Laaser U
BMJ 2005; 331: 197-201.
Abstract
Objective: To describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence and associated factors among married women in Albania
Design: Cross sectional study
Setting: Tirana, the capital city of Albania
Participants: A representative sample f 1039 married women aged 25-65 living in Tirana and recorded in the 2001 census.
Methods: Questionnaire on intimate partner violence and social and demographic characteristics of the women and their husbands.
Main outcome measure: Women’s experience with in the past year of being hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by the husband.
Results: More than a third (37%, 384/1039) of women had experienced violence. Risk was greatest among omen aged 25-34 (odd ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.09), women with tertiary education (3.70, 2,04 to 6.67), women in white collar jobs (4.0, 1.59 to 10.0), women with least educated husbands (5.01, 2.91 to 8.64), and women married to men in rural areas (3.31, 2.29 to 4.80). Women were at higher risk if they were more educated than their husband (4.76, 2.56 to 9.09).
Conclusions: In transitional Albania, the risk of spousal violence is high, and more empowered women are at greater risk.
Trends in Suicide Ideation, Plans, Gestures, and Attempts in the United States,
1990-1992 to 2001-2003
Kessler RC, Berglund P, Borges G, Nock M, Wang PS
BMJ 2005; 293: 2487-95
Abstract
Context: Little is known about trends in suicidal ideation, plans, gestures, or attempts or about their treatment. Such data are needed to guide and evaluate policies to reduce suicide-related behaviors.
Objective: To analyze nationally representative trend data on suicidal ideation, plans, gestures, attempts, and their treatment.
Design, Setting, and Participants: Data come from the 1990-1992 National Co-morbidity Survey and the 2001-2003 National Co-morbidity Survey Replication. These surveys asked identical questions to 9708 people aged 18-54 years about the past year’s occurrence of ideation, plans, gestures, attempts and treatment. Trends were evaluated by using pooled logistic regression analysis. Face to face interviews were administered in the homes of respondents, who were nationally representative samples of US English-speaking residents.
Main Outcome Measure: Self-reports about suicide related behaviors and treatment in the year before interview.
Results: No significant changes occurred between 1990-1992 and 2001-2003 in suicidal ideation (2.8% vs 3.3%; p=.43), plans (0.7% vs 1.0; p=.15), gestures (0.3% vs 0.2%; p=.24), or attempts (0.4% vs 0.6%; p=.45), whereas conditional prevalence of plans among ideators increased significantly (from 19.6% to 28.6%; p=.04), and conditional prevalence of gestures among planners decreased significantly (from 21.4% to 6.4%; p=.003). Treatment increased dramatically among ideators who made an attempt (49.6% vs 79.0%).
Conclusions: Despite a dramatic increase in treatment, no significant decrease occurred in suicidal thoughts, plans, gestures, or attempts in th US during the 1990s. Continued efforts are needed to increase outreach to untreated individuals with suicidal ideation before the occurrence of attempts and to improve treatment effectiveness for such cases.
Sharp force fatalities: suicide, homicide or accident? A series of 21 cases
Mazzolo GM, Desinan L
Forensic Sci International
2005; 147: S33-35
Abstract
Cases at study comprise 21 sharp force fatalities (9 suicide- 7 m and 2 f; 8 homicide- 5 m and 3 f; 2 accidental deaths 1 m and 1 f; 2 uncertain cases- 2 m), examined from 1993 to 2002. Suicide age range was 17-75, mean 42.4; in seven cases the age was upper 40. Scene of death was at home in six cases, at open place in two, during hospitalization in one. Incised wounds were pre-eminent in suicides. Homicides showed multiple stab wounds. The two accidents were caused by “glassing”. Uncertain cases were a small stab wound to the chest and evisceration.