Simple Ouma, MBChB, MPH
Nominated From: University of Minnesota
Research Site: Makerere University
Research Area: Mental Health
Primary Mentor: Maria Kroupina
Research Project
Childhood trauma and victimization among adolescents of female sex workers in the post-conflict Gulu city in Northern Uganda – a comparative cross-sectional study
Exposure to childhood trauma and victimization (CTV) can negatively affects a child’s physical growth, emotional development, and mental wellbeing. It can lead severe and lifelong negative impacts that include: re-victimization, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, dating violence, depression, suicide, and several physical illnesses. Review of literature indicates that several studies in diverse populations and settings, especially in the developed world, have been conducted on CTV. However, there is only a handful of literature on CTV among children of marginalized parents, especially those in conflict-affected settings. Our proposed study will utilize existing instruments and implement protocols that will examine the epidemiology of CTV among adolescents (10-17years of age) of female sex workers (FSWs) in the conflict-affected Gulu city in Northern Uganda. Findings will provide insight into the epidemiology of CTV among adolescents and might be useful to the health care programmers for the development of preventive and interventional measures targeting CTV among adolescents of marginalized parents.
Research Significance
Understanding the epidemiology of CTV among adolescents of FSWs will help raise public awareness about the plight of adolescents of the marginalized parents in Uganda, the US, and elsewhere. Findings will inform advocacy and the development of targeted public health responses to CTV among children and adolescents of these disadvantaged populations.
Publications
Mentors
