Peer-reviewed article
Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences : A Cross-Sectional Study among Inpatients at Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital in Rwanda.
Nyirimana V, Yubahwe J, Rutakayile B, Musafili A ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study measured adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among 122 adult psychiatric inpatients in Rwanda. Almost all participants (98%) reported experiencing at least one ACE, with parental separation, divorce, or death being the most common. The research found that household challenges were associated with child maltreatment. The high prevalence of ACEs among people with mental disorders suggests these early traumatic experiences may contribute to psychiatric illness.
Key points
- 98% of psychiatric inpatients reported at least one ACE
- Parental separation, divorce, or death was the most common ACE at 65%
- Child maltreatment was associated with household challenges
- Majority of participants were men (57%) aged 20-35 (61%)
- Authors suggest ACE prevention interventions could reduce psychiatric burden
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study of psychiatric inpatients at a single hospital in Rwanda, so findings cannot be generalised to the general population or to children currently experiencing ACEs. The study does not establish causal relationships between ACEs and mental disorder, as it only measures associations in a population already receiving psychiatric care.
Abstract
Background Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are the potentially traumatic events that occurred during childhood. Understanding their magnitude and the way exposure to one type triggers other types of ACEs could lead to more focused psychiatric interventions. Objective To determine the prevalence of ACEs and explore the associations between household challenges and child maltreatment among inpatients with mental disorders. Methods A cross-sectional design was used from August to September 2019 at Ndera Neuropsychiatric Teaching Hospital. We informed 176 adult inpatients, 159 consented to have their eligibility examined, and 122 were eligible and then interviewed using the Adverse Childhood Experience International Questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 21. Results Most of the participants (57%) were men, 61% were in the 20-35 age range, and 67% had attended primary school. Almost everyone (98%) reported at least one ACE. Having separated/divorced or deceased parents was the most common ACE (65%). Child maltreatment was associated with household challenges. Conclusion The study found a high prevalence of ACEs among psychiatric inpatients. Therefore, the burden associated with the high prevalence of ACEs could be alleviated through interventions targeting ACE preventions.