Via: http://goo.gl/s3TbEr
Showing posts with label strangulation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strangulation. Show all posts
Monday, May 16, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Self-Harm & Overcrowding among Prisoners in Geneva, Switzerland
Purpose
Prison institutional conditions affect risk for self-harm among detainees. In particular, prison overcrowding may increase the likelihood of self-harm by creating competition for resources, space, and enhancing a "deprivation state." The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between overcrowding and prisoner acts of self-harm.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study took place at Geneva's pre-trial prison (capacity:376) between 2006 and 2014. Outcomes were acts of self-harm that required medical attention, and self-strangulation/hanging events (combined into one group, as these are difficult to differentiate). Dichotomous predictors were overcrowding index- annual mean daily population divided by capacity ( > 200 percent vs < 200 percent), and year group (2006-2009 vs 2011-2014).
Findings
Self-harm and self-strangulations/hangings increased in 2011-2014 compared to 2006-2010 (p < 0.001). Overcrowding in excess of 200 percent was associated with self-strangulation/hangings (p < 0.001) but not with all self-harm events. In terms of pertinent demographics that would affect self-harm, there was no prison change in gender, area of origin, foreign residency, religion, or psychiatric treatment.
Research limitations/implications
The present study is limited by the definition and identification of self-harm. The distinction between self-strangulation and self-hanging, and the precise classification of an intent to die is difficult to make in practice, especially with limited prison data records available. The relevant literature addresses the complexity of the association between non-suicidal and suicidal behavior. Despite this, the combined category self-strangulations/hangings gives some indication of severe self-harm events, especially since the methodology of categorization employed was consistent throughout the entire period of the study. Other limitations include the small sample size and the lack of individual patient data and prison data to help control for confounding factors. Despite these drawbacks, pertinent data (socio-demographics and number of prisoners treated for mental health and drug abuse) remained stable over the years. Thus, there are no apparent changes in the inmate population that could be linked to an increase in self-harm. High-security placements and mean prisoner stay have increased over time, with a decrease in staff to prisoner ratio - and these must be looked into further as contributors. Additionally, qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and focus groups could delineate the impact of overcrowding on prisoner well-being and self-harm potential.
Practical implications
The authors observed a significant increase in self-harm and self-strangulation/hangings over time, and overcrowding was significantly associated with self-strangulation/hangings (but not with all self-harm events). Overcrowding can impose destructive effects on the psychological and behavioral well being of inmates in prison, influencing a myriad of emotional and livelihood factors that predispose to harmful behavior.
Originality/value
This report should alert public health and prison authorities to this issue, and garner resources to address such an alarming rise. The findings from this short report demonstrate the need for a further examination of the mechanisms affecting self-harm among prisoners in this population, particularly the relationship between self-strangulations/hangings and overcrowding.
Prison institutional conditions affect risk for self-harm among detainees. In particular, prison overcrowding may increase the likelihood of self-harm by creating competition for resources, space, and enhancing a "deprivation state." The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between overcrowding and prisoner acts of self-harm.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study took place at Geneva's pre-trial prison (capacity:376) between 2006 and 2014. Outcomes were acts of self-harm that required medical attention, and self-strangulation/hanging events (combined into one group, as these are difficult to differentiate). Dichotomous predictors were overcrowding index- annual mean daily population divided by capacity ( > 200 percent vs < 200 percent), and year group (2006-2009 vs 2011-2014).
Findings
Self-harm and self-strangulations/hangings increased in 2011-2014 compared to 2006-2010 (p < 0.001). Overcrowding in excess of 200 percent was associated with self-strangulation/hangings (p < 0.001) but not with all self-harm events. In terms of pertinent demographics that would affect self-harm, there was no prison change in gender, area of origin, foreign residency, religion, or psychiatric treatment.
Research limitations/implications
The present study is limited by the definition and identification of self-harm. The distinction between self-strangulation and self-hanging, and the precise classification of an intent to die is difficult to make in practice, especially with limited prison data records available. The relevant literature addresses the complexity of the association between non-suicidal and suicidal behavior. Despite this, the combined category self-strangulations/hangings gives some indication of severe self-harm events, especially since the methodology of categorization employed was consistent throughout the entire period of the study. Other limitations include the small sample size and the lack of individual patient data and prison data to help control for confounding factors. Despite these drawbacks, pertinent data (socio-demographics and number of prisoners treated for mental health and drug abuse) remained stable over the years. Thus, there are no apparent changes in the inmate population that could be linked to an increase in self-harm. High-security placements and mean prisoner stay have increased over time, with a decrease in staff to prisoner ratio - and these must be looked into further as contributors. Additionally, qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews and focus groups could delineate the impact of overcrowding on prisoner well-being and self-harm potential.
Practical implications
The authors observed a significant increase in self-harm and self-strangulation/hangings over time, and overcrowding was significantly associated with self-strangulation/hangings (but not with all self-harm events). Overcrowding can impose destructive effects on the psychological and behavioral well being of inmates in prison, influencing a myriad of emotional and livelihood factors that predispose to harmful behavior.
Originality/value
This report should alert public health and prison authorities to this issue, and garner resources to address such an alarming rise. The findings from this short report demonstrate the need for a further examination of the mechanisms affecting self-harm among prisoners in this population, particularly the relationship between self-strangulations/hangings and overcrowding.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/SD4HMx
By:
- 1Division of Correctional Medicine and Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
- Int J Prison Health. 2016 Mar 14;12(1):39-44. doi: 10.1108/IJPH-04-2015-0009.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv insight
Monday, January 18, 2016
The Epidemiology of Homicidal Strangulation in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa
Studies that provide accurate
descriptions of the occurrence of fatal strangulation events are limited, both
in South Africa and elsewhere in the world.
The current study describes the
extent and distribution of female and male homicidal strangulation in the City
of Johannesburg for the period 2001-2010. The study is a register-based cross
sectional study of homicidal strangulation that draws on data recorded by the
National Injury Mortality Surveillance System. Crude, unadjusted strangulation
rates, and proportions of strangulation across specific circumstances of
occurrence were computed for each year and aggregated in some instances.
Results indicated fatal strangulation to be the fourth leading cause of homicide in
the City of Johannesburg. A total of 334 strangulation homicides were recorded,
representing an average annual strangulation homicide rate
of 0.90 per 100,000 population.
Gender disproportionality in victimisation was
reflected in the average annual rate of 1.03 per 100,000 population for females
and 0.74 per 100,000 population for males. The highest rates were recorded
among the elderly, and amongst coloured females and white males. Temporal and
spatial descriptions indicated that victims were strangled primarily during the
day, over the weekday period, and in private locations. When the scene of death
was considered by race and age group, results indicated the victimisation of
white females and males in private places, and the elderly in private settings.
The majority of strangulation victims tested negative for alcohol.
The results
highlight the need for multi-level prevention strategies that target specific
risk groups and situations.
Below: Distribution of homicide by sex and external cause of death, City of Johannesburg, 2001–2010
Below: Distribution of homicidal strangulation by sex and time of day, City of Johannesburg, 2001–2010
Below: Distribution of homicidal strangulation by sex and day of week, City of Johannesburg, 2001–2010
Below: Distribution of homicidal strangulation by sex and month of year, City of Johannesburg, 2001–2010
Below: Distribution of homicidal strangulation by sex and scene of injury, City of Johannesburg, 2001–2010
- 1South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa Violence, Injury and Peace Research Unit, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa. Electronic address: ssuffla@mrc.ac.za.
- 2South African Medical Research Council-University of South Africa Violence, Injury and Peace Research Unit, P.O. Box 19070, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa; Institute for Social and Health Sciences, University of South Africa, P.O. Box 1087, Lenasia, 1820, South Africa. Electronic address: Seedama@unisa.ac.za.
- J Forensic Leg Med. 2016 Jan;37:97-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2015.11.005. Epub 2015 Dec 1.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv insight
Friday, January 1, 2016
Factors Related to Sexual Abuse & Forced Sex in Women Experiencing Police-Involved Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner sexual
violence (IPSV) is a significant social problem, particularly among women who
are concurrently experiencing physical violence in their intimate
relationships.
This research examined the prevalence and factors associated
with IPSV among a sample of women recruited at the scene of police-involved
intimate partner violence incidents (N = 432). Within this sample, 43.98
percent of participants reported experiencing IPSV; this includes 17.36 percent
who reported sexual abuse and 26.62 percent who reported forced sex.
Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the factors related to
sexual abuse and forced sex, controlling for victim and relationship
characteristics.
Compared with women not reporting IPSV, women who were
sexually abused or forced into sexual intercourse were significantly more
likely to experience strangulation, feelings of shame, and posttraumatic stress
disorder symptoms. Women whose partners had forced sex were more likely to
report that they had a child in common with their abusive partner; and that
their partner was sexually jealous, had threatened to kill them, had stalked or
harassed them, or caused them to have a miscarriage due to abuse.
These
findings can be used to better inform social work practitioners about the
prevalence and nature of IPSV and the associated risk factors, and can assist
in routine screening and intervention.
Full article at: http://goo.gl/oEmpI5
By:
Jill Theresa
Messing, PhD, MSW, is associate professor, School of Social
Work, Arizona State University, 411 North Central Avenue, Suite 800, Phoenix,
AZ 85004;.
Jonel Thaller, MSW, is
assistant professor, Department of Social Work, Ball State University, Muncie,
IN.
Meredith Bagwell, MSW, is
a doctoral student, School of Social Work, Arizona State University.
More at: https://twitter.com/hiv
insight
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)