Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Pregnancy: Screening , Identification and Referral

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Katherine Sells (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: "Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that occur between birth and eighteen years of age (Radcliffe , Crouch , & Strompolis , 2018). The ACEs questionnaire consists of ten ""yes€ or ""no€ questions that address abuse , neglect , parental conflict , parental substance abuse , and parental mental illness (Hughes et al. , 2017). Each ""yes€ answer is worth one point. A score ‰¥ four ACEs is associated with increased risk for maladaptive behaviors , poor physical health , and poor mental health. This quality improvement (QI) project developed a successful plan of screening , identification , and referral for ACEs with women receiving care at a community health department. Results included 311 women were screened for ACEs. Forty had a score of ‰¥ four and were offered referral information. This QI project helped to start a conversation about ACEs in a rural community affected by substance abuse , mental health , and chronic health conditions. Further work should include screening for ACEs in other settings , providing trauma-informed care , and focus on reducing the impact of ACEs."

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2019

Keywords

trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, ACEs

Subjects

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