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Karin Helweg-Larsen

Publications and source records attributed to Karin Helweg-Larsen.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Consequences of collective violence with special focus on gender perspective].

There is increasing focus on the gender perspective related to the consequences of collective violence. Women run a greater risk of being victims of sexual violence, but few studies have focused on gender differences with respect to physical violence, sexual violations and the impact on health. Further research is needed on these issues as well as research on the identification of evidence based interventions.

Crime Victims↗
PubMed2006

[Armed conflict and access to emergency treatment in the occupied West Bank of Palestine--secondary publication].

Research on the health consequences of armed conflicts is still in its infancy. Systematic medical data collection among emergency department contacts at three hospitals in the occupied West Bank of Palestine showed that patients delayed by the Israeli occupation were more likely to be admitted to hospital than other patients. The occupation of Palestine has resulted in severe restriction to the civil population's freedom of movement that influences access to health care, among a number of other serious problems. This presents a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2006

[Self-assessed health status among young people from ethnic minorities living in Denmark].

INTRODUCTION: Only a few studies on the health status of ethnic minorities in Denmark have been carried out. These studies have shown a higher mental and physical morbidity rate and an increased prevalence of social problems among adults. The purpose of this study was to compare the self-reported health status of ethnic Danish youths and young first- and second-generation immigrants from non-Western countries to establish whether there is an association between ethnicity and "belief in the ability to affect one's own health". MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed a cohort of 6,203 ninth-grade students (aged 15 to 16 years), including 264 first-generation and 391 second-generation immigrants from non-Western countries. Self-reported health and self-efficacy, defined as the belief in the ability to affect one's own health, were included in the analyses, using SPSS cross-tabulations and logistical regression analysis. RESULTS: A direct association between ethnicity and self-reported health status was found. Both first- and second-generation immigrants rated their health worse than did ethnic Danish youths. The association was statistically significant for first-generation immigrant girls when controlling for relevant risk factors for ill health. Significant associations between self-reported health status and belief in the ability to affect one's own health were found for both first- and second-generation immigrants of both sexes, compared to ethnic Danish youths. CONCLUSION: Factors related to immigration and immigrants' social conditions may partially explain the ethnic differences in self-reported health status. However, cultural differences may influence the ethnic and gender differences in health status and self-efficacy, as ethnic minorities are less likely to believe in their ability to affect their own health. It is recommended that this knowledge be implemented when developing health promotion programs in the public schools.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Effects of armed conflict on access to emergency health care in Palestinian West Bank: systematic collection of data in emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of restrictions in access to hospital services imposed on the civilian population during the armed conflict in the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. DESIGN: Consecutive registration of demographic and medical data, with information about transportation time, delay in access to hospital, and course of hospital contact. SETTING: Three hospital emergency departments in Bethlehem and Nablus, in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, during one week in each hospital. PARTICIPANTS: All patients seeking health care in the three hospitals during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 394 of the 2228 emergency department contacts reported being delayed at checkpoints or by detours on their way to the emergency department. Hospital admission was significantly more common for these patients: 32% (n = 125) compared with 13% (n = 205) among those who were not delayed. CONCLUSION: 18% of the emergency department contacts were delayed because of the occupation. The higher hospital admission rate in this group suggests that restrictions in access to hospital services influence the severity of the medical conditions presented.

Civil Disorders↗
PubMed2006

The prevalence of unwanted and unlawful sexual experiences reported by Danish adolescents: results from a national youth survey in 2002.

AIM: To obtain current data about child sexual abuse in Denmark and to assess abused children's own perception of early sexual experiences, which are unlawful according to the Danish Penal Code. METHODS: Multimedia computer-based self-administered questionnaires (CASI) were completed by a national representative sample of 15-16-y-olds. Child sexual abuse was defined according to the penal code and measured by questions defining specific sexual activities, the relationship between the older person and the child, and the youth's own perception of the incident. RESULTS: Among 5829 respondents, 11% reported unlawful sexual experiences, 7% of boys and 16% of girls. Only 1% of boys and 4% of girls felt that they "definitely" or "maybe" had been sexually abused. CONCLUSION: A relatively high percentage of Danish adolescents have early, unlawful sexual experiences. However, young people's own perception of sexual abuse tends to differ from that of the authorities, or their tolerance of abusive incidents is high. Gender differences were found in factors predicting perception of abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Time-trends in method-specific suicide rates compared with the availability of specific compounds. The Danish experience.

Restriction of means for suicide is an important part of suicide preventive strategies in different countries. All suicides in Denmark between 1970 and 2000 were examined with regard to method used for suicide. Overall suicide mortality and method-specific suicide mortality was compared with official information about availability of medical compounds (barbiturates, benzodiazepines, analgesics, antidepressants) and carbon monoxide in vehicle exhaust and household gas. Restrictions on the availability of carbon monoxide, barbiturates and dextropropoxyphen was associated with a decline in the number of suicides by self-poisoning with these compounds. Restricted access occurred concomittantly with a 55% decrease in suicide rate.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed2005

A critical review of available data on sexual abuse of children in Denmark.

OBJECTIVE: To describe different data sources that may illuminate the incidence and character of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Denmark in the late 1990s. METHOD: Data concerning alleged sexual abuse of children below 15 years of age in the 1990s were retrieved from the Danish National Patient Register and the Danish National Criminal Register. In addition, all police files concerning reported CSA in 1 year (1998), were reviewed. RESULTS: The average annual incidence of CSA was .06 per 1,000 children, based on data in the National Patient Register; however, it was .5 per 1,000 based on data in the Criminal Register. In the Criminal Register, significant annual differences were found in cases of sexual offence against children below 12 years. The police reports comprised very comprehensive information about the victims and the character of CSA. Based on this information the incidence of police reported CSA in 1998 was 1.0 per 1,000 children, and .6 per 1,000 excluding reported cases of indecent exposure. Half of intra-familial CSA resulted in a conviction compared to 40% of extra-familial CSA and 16% of indecent exposure. CONCLUSIONS: In Denmark, criminal statistics contain the most systematic collection of data on CSA. However, data reflect the reporting behavior by parents or other closely related adults, which may be influenced by changes in public awareness of the problem. Consequently, register data should be supplemented by data obtained from self-reported surveys on CSA.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Systematic medical data collection of intentional injuries during armed conflicts: a pilot study conducted in West Bank, Palestine.

AIMS: A study was undertaken on implementing medical data collection as a tool to assess the relative number and character of intentional injuries before and during an armed conflict. METHODS: Data on hospital contacts due to intentional injury were collected retrospectively at two hospitals in West Bank, Palestine, and classified by ICD10 and the new International Classification of External Causes of Injuries (ICECI). A three-month period prior to the current Intifada, June-August 2000 and two three-month periods of the Intifada, September-December 2000 and June-August 2001 were chosen. RESULTS: The number of contacts increased from 23 in the period prior to the Intifada to 740 during the first and 199 during the second period of the Intifada. During the period before the Intifada the victims were men, and no one was younger than 10 years. During the Intifada 9% were women, 3% below 10 years, and 9% aged 10-14 years. Prior to the Intifada all injuries were caused by blunt force. During the Intifada 65% of the injuries were caused by firearms or explosives, 19% by beating and 6% by gaseous substances. Among children most lesions were localized to the head, including eye and brain damage, and were mostly caused by firearms. CONCLUSIONS: Injury registration by ICD10 combined with ICECI codes facilitates analyses of correlations between characteristics of armed conflicts and injuries. Medical data collection is an important instrument in documentation of the effects of weapons and in surveillance of violations of humanitarian law, particularly as to the worrying magnitude of young children being seriously victimized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The Danish Youth Survey 2002: asking young people about sensitive issues.

OBJECTIVES: To explore ethical, legal and practical issues related to conducting a youth survey in Denmark on sexual experiences before the age of 15 and thereby achieve reliable data on child sexual abuse. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The relevant authorities were consulted on possible legal and ethical objections. By a pilot study based on conventional self-administered questionnaires, information was obtained about the reactions of school boards, teachers and 9th grade students. RESULTS: The necessary conditions were present for the implementation of a nationwide anonymous youth survey without obtaining parental consent. The Central Scientific Ethical Committee had no objections. In a number of fields, Danish legislation accords 15-to-18-year-olds the competence to make independent decisions regarding their personal circumstances, and the UN Convention of Children's Rights states that a child's viewpoints must be accorded appropriate significance in relation to that child's age and maturity. In the pilot study, no negative reactions were observed among the students and school authorities. About 25% of the students had difficulties in filling the questionnaire. No student made use of the accompanying offer of counselling. CONCLUSION: An anonymous youth survey based on computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) would increase the validity of youth surveys on child sexual abuse to which no ethical or legal objections were found.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Can we compare violence data across countries?

OBJECTIVES: The paper aims to explore what knowledge can be obtained about violence through population-based data and additionally, through inter-country comparisons of violence data. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Data on lifetime and 12-month experiences of violence and/or severe threats of violence were obtained from self-administered questionnaires supplementary to nationwide, cross-sectional health interview surveys conducted in Greenland in 1993-94 (N=2,425) and in Denmark in 2000 (N=16,684). The overall response rate achieved for the self-administered questionnaire was 63% (N=1,393) in Greenland and 63% (N=10,458) in Denmark. RESULTS: A comparison of violence data shows that overall, the violence prevalence was significantly higher in Greenland than Denmark. Experienced violence and/or severe threats amongst Greenlandic women was almost as prevalent as amongst Greenlandic men--especially so for severe lifetime violence. This was not the case for the Danish sample. Significantly more Danish men than Danish women reported experienced violence and/or severe threats for all age groups. CONCLUSION: Comparing violence data across countries enables us to describe actual differences in violence prevalence, as well as to highlight potential methodological discrepancies and cultural and gender differences in understanding and, thus, reporting of violence. This knowledge can be implemented in the development and improvement of existing and new prevention strategies.

Denmark↗
PubMed2003

Violence against women and consequent health problems: a register-based study.

AIMS: This study set out to examine whether women victimized by domestic violence in a given year subsequently have more health problems measured by amount of hospital contacts due to disease than non-victimized women. METHODS: A case control study was carried out, based on data in the Danish National Patient Register, which covers all hospital contacts, identified by the unique citizen number. Three age groups were included: 15-19, 20-29, and 30-49 years. Cases were women with any hospital contact as a result of intentional injuries, defined as domestic violence, in 1995, and controls were women with all other reasons for hospital contact in 1995. The Nordic Classification of External Causes of Injuries classified reason for contact, place of occurrence, and mechanism of injury. Domestic violence was defined as intentional injury by blunt force and occurring in a residential area. The rate of subsequent hospital contacts because of any disease, induced abortions, gynaecological diseases, and mental illness among cases and controls in 1996-98 was compared. RESULTS: 1,815 women victimized by domestic violence and 388,366 controls were identified. In the entire period, the victims of violence presented significantly more health problems than the controls, as measured by hospital contacts due to any disease. The rate of contacts due to induced abortions, gynaecological diseases, and mental illness was significantly higher among the victims in all three age groups in the first year following the identified violence. In the entire period, victims of violence aged 20-49 presented a significantly higher rate of contacts due to mental illness, and victims aged 20-29 years a higher rate of induced abortions. CONCLUSIONS: Registration practice of all hospital contacts in Denmark facilitates nationally representative analyses of associations between violence and health problems. The observed differences among women victimized by domestic violence and controls point to violence against women as a major public health problem. Proper registration of hospital contacts due to intentional injury may both guarantee adequate follow-up of the individual victim, and serve as a useful tool in the monitoring of general violence prevention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Ethical issues in youth surveys: potentials for conducting a national questionnaire study on adolescent schoolchildren's sexual experiences with adults.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated ethical constraints concerning youth surveys on child sexual abuse (CSA). METHODS: We reviewed internationally published studies and Danish regulations concerning school-based surveys conducted without active parental consent. RESULTS: Ethical constraints concerning participants in youth community studies have been scantily assessed. Danish legislation accords minors the right to be heard on issues concerning themselves. The anticipated societal benefits of children's participation in community studies justify conducting anonymous surveys among schoolchildren based upon their own informed consent. CONCLUSIONS: No ethical or legal objections were found to conducting an anonymous survey in Denmark on CSA among 9th-grade pupils without parental consent, provided that the survey was accompanied by an offer of counseling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The Danish National Cohort Study (DANCOS).

This article gives an overview of a nationally representive public health research database in Denmark, the Danish National Cohort Study (DANCOS). DANCOS combines baseline data from health interview surveys with both pre- and post-baseline data from national health registries with date from a re-interview survey. As part of the national health interview survey programme, three nation-wide surveys were conducted in 1986/1987, 1991 and 1994. The samples in the three cohorts consisted of 23,096 adult Danes ages 16 years and older, and 18,296 (79.2%) were personally interviewed on socio-economic status; living conditions; health behaviour; self-rated health; morbidity; utilization of health services; and the consequences of illness and disability. Each Dane is equipped with a unique identification number that allows highly accurate linkage of data in the health surveys and in the national health and administrative registries. All respondents and non-respondents were followed through 2002, a total of 3,796 had died and 249 had emigrated. The specific cause of death for 2,485 people was recorded in the Danish Register of Causes of Death, updated through 1998. For 1978-1977, the Danish National Hospital Register contained information about 16,503 persons who had been hospitalized for any illness or related health problems, accounting for 70,925 hospital admissions. For 1970-1997, the Danish Psychiatric Central Register comprised information on 1691 persons. For 1990-1997, the Danish National Health Service Register recorded 980,043 contacts with general practitioners and specialist physicians. For 1943-1996, the Danish cancer Registry contained information about one or more cancer diseases among 1,432 people. A total of 4,334 people in the 1994 cohort were re-interview in 2000. DANCOS allows for a wide range of analysis in a historical prospective design of determinants of morbidity and mortality, of health care utilization and of the social effects of ill health. DANCOS also allows studies of methodological issues, including analyzing the characteristics of non-respondents.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed2002

Violence, sexual abuse and health in Greenland.

The purposes of the study were to analyse the lifetime prevalence of violence and sexual abuse among the Inuit in Greenland and to study the associations between health and having been the victim of violence or sexual abuse. Associations were studied with specific attention to possible differences between women and men. Further, response rates were analysed specifically in order to understand consequences of including questions on violence and sexual abuse in the questionnaire survey. The analyses were based on material from a cross-sectional health interview survey conducted during 1993-94 with participation from a random sample of the Inuit population in Greenland (N = 1393). The prevalence of ever having been a victim of violence was 47% among women and 48% among men. Women had more often than men been sexually abused (25% and 6%) (p < 0,001) and had more often been sexually abused in childhood (8% and 3%) (p = 0.001). Having been the victim of violence or sexual abuse was significantly associated with a number of health problems: chronic disease, recent illness, poor self-rated health, and mental health problems. The associations between having been the victim of violence or sexual abuse and health was stronger for women than for men. It is possible to secure a reasonably high response rate in a general health survey that includes questions on violence and sexual abuse.

Adolescent↗