@article{ref1,
title="Chronicity of self-harming behaviors among adolescent teenage girls living in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda",
journal="BMC psychology",
year="2024",
author="Kaggwa, Mark Mohan and Abaatyo, Joan and Otika, Donald and Pebolo, Pebalo Francis and Bongomin, Felix",
volume="12",
number="1",
pages="e394-e394",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Self-harming ideations demand targeted research due to their persistent nature, especially among female adolescents within refugee populations who face unique challenges that can exacerbate self-harming tendencies. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with self-harming ideations chronicity among female teenagers living in refugee settlement in Northern Uganda. <br><br>METHOD: This cross-sectional study used a pretested questionnaire to assess self-harming ideations and other demographic characteristics. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with chronicity of self-harm ideations. <br><br>RESULTS: Of 385 participants, the prevalence of self-harming ideations was 4.2% (n = 16) for acute, 8% (n = 31) for subacute, and 3.1% (n = 12) for chronic. The likelihood of having more chronic self-harming ideations increased with having ever been pregnant (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.78, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.57-9.08). However, having a spouse as the family head reduced the likelihood of having more chronic self-harming ideations (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.04-0.95). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of self-harming thoughts among female teenagers in Northern Ugandan refugee settlements varies. Pregnancy history is associated with a higher chance of prolonged self-harming thoughts while having a spouse as the family's head is linked with a lower likelihood. Examining different demographic and familial elements when addressing the mental well-being of female teenage refugees is vital. It stresses the necessity for customized interventions and support networks targeting the reduction of self-harm behaviors among this vulnerable group.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2050-7283",
doi="10.1186/s40359-024-01897-1",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01897-1"
}