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Previous investigation has not considered potential sex differences for psychopathy facets and executive functioning related to gang membership. Although empirical inquiry has begun to focus on psychopathy's role in youth gang membership, this research is male-focused. The present study uses the baseline of the Pathways to Desistance study to investigate the relationship between psychopathy facets, executive functioning and gang membership across sex. Logistic regression in all boys and girls samples is performed to examine the potential relationship between the constructs across sex. Following this, Long's test of predicted probabilities is implemented to examine potential differences across sex for key variables robustly. The findings suggest the socially/deviant facet of psychopathy is associated with gang status in girls only; the effect was smaller than for both peer delinquency and violent victimization. Further executive functioning and the interpersonal facet were not significantly associated with gang status in boys and girls. The results of Long's test show no robust differences that exist across sex for variables of interest. Although sex differences are not robustly found in the current study it is suggested intervention strategies should consider the needs of girls, because strategies do not make these considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most policies to combat gang criminal behavior are rooted in deterrence and punitive strategies. This is fueled by moral panic, a get tough on crime rhetoric, and a lack of understanding for the psychological factors that may influence this behavior. Further, the extant literature has consistently observed that gang membership is associated with increased criminal behavior. In an effort to promote and shift away from punitive approaches in response to gang delinquency, the current study investigates the role psychopathic traits have in violent and property offending, longitudinally, in a sample of gang-involved youth. The study implemented count mixed effect models to investigate the topic longitudinally in waves 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, while controlling for other variables with violent and property offending frequency. The current study found that some psychopathic traits are associated with offending behavior, longitudinally, in gang members and youth with a history of gang involvement. The findings suggest that gang intervention strategies should include empirically supported programs for treating psychopathic traits in gang identified youth to reduce involvement in delinquent behavior. Further, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers should collaborate to develop more empirically supported strategies to reduce and prevent gang delinquent behavior from an empathetic lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSnakebite envenoming represents a tragically neglected tropical disease mostly affecting poor people living in remote areas of developing countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Anti-snake venom (ASV) is the only approved specific treatment for systemic envenoming from snakebite, but it remains largely unavailable in many parts of developing countries. There is paucity of data on snakebite management practice in Tanzania. This study aimed at assessing the community management practices of snakebite and availability of anti-snake venom in the public health facilities in Monduli District, Northern Tanzania.MethodsA cross sectional study was carried out between May and June, 2018 involving 67 victims, 147 other household members, and 35 public health facilities. A structured questionnaire, respondent interview, and health facility report/document review were considered during data collection. Clean data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.ResultsSixty-seven snakebite victims and 147 other household members were interviewed during a household survey. All snakebite cases reported to having visited a health facility after snakebite with the majority 55/67 (82.1%) reporting the use, prior attendance to medical care, of some form of local treatment such as tourniquets 13 (19.4%), local incision 11 (16.4%), and snakestone 7 (10.4%). None of the public health facilities in Monduli District attended a snakebite case and had never stocked anti-snake venom products. In this area, 45 snakebite cases were reported to be managed at Meserani snake park clinic where anti-snake venom products were available and provided for free in the period between January 2017 and December 2017.ConclusionMajority of the snakebite cases at Meserani Juu relied on local methods for the management of snake bites of which most are of unknown efficacy and safety. Furthermore, none of the primary public health facilities in Monduli District stocked antivenom despite being a habitat for different kinds of venomous snakes. The government and local non-government organizations should collaborate so as to improve the anti-snake venom availability and the provision of snakebite preventive and management awareness programs, especially to the rural communities.