Biomedical subjects

Vanita Sundaram

Publications and source records attributed to Vanita Sundaram.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Suicide risk among persons with foreign background in Denmark.

There is a dearth of knowledge about factors correlated with suicide risk among minority groups in Western societies. In the present study we compared suicide risk among persons with foreign background with that of the majority population to determine whether certain minority groups are at a particular risk for suicide, as well as to illuminate gender differences herein. Suicide risk was generally higher among persons with foreign background compared with the majority population and the risk was highest among Nordic-born persons. Overall, suicide risk was significantly lower among Asian-born persons; however, there were gender differences in correlations between ethnicity and suicide risk.

Denmark↗

PubMed2005

Indicators associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among 16-35-year-old Danes: a national representative population study.

In this study indicators associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nationwide representative sample (N=3184) of Danes aged 16-35 years were examined. The study was cross-sectional and had three aims: (1) to draw a profile of persons with and without suicidal tendency established on a combined quartered variable on current suicidal thoughts and/or ever attempted suicide; (2) to explore whether the different suicidal tendencies constitute a severity continuum; and (3) to identify factors of significance for suicidal tendency. Factors included were demographic characteristics, living conditions, social network, external health risks, lifestyle, health-related quality of life, symptoms, morbidity, and illness behavior. A continuum hypothesis was not supported, as the multiple logistic regression analysis showed no clear gradient in the different forms of suicidal tendency. Cohabitation status (single, p < 0.0001), exposure to violent threats (p < 0.0001), exposure to sexual abuse (p < 0.0001), being a daily smoker (p < 0.0001), doing nothing to stay healthy (p < 0.0004), poor mental health (p < 0.0001), mental symptoms within the past 2 weeks (p = 0.0003), contact with psychologist (p < 0.0001), and absence from work due to illness (p = 0.005) were indicators significantly related to suicidal tendency.

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↗