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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: Street children are the most neglected and vulnerable population group in most of the cities in India and at risk of under nutrition and health problems.
Objectives: The objectives of this study are to determine the health problems among street children and associated them with other variables, to determine the causes that compelled them to become street children, and to find out types of abuse among street children.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among street children. The sample size was 150 street children aged between 5 and 16 years, residing in Ahmadabad city. The study duration was August to November 2016. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and a general examination was done. Nutritional status was assessed. Data analysis was done by Epi-info.
Results: About 51.33% of respondents were males, and 48.66% were females. 65.33% of children were illiterate. Common diseases were 78.66% skin diseases, 40% respiratory illness, 60.67% pallor, and 66% were malnourished. Association of bathing habit with a respiratory infection and skin disease, body mass index with pallor, and respiratory infection was found to be significant (odds ratio [OR] -1.61-5.03); hand washes and gastrointestinal tract infection were insignificant (OR - 0.81). 32% of street children were abused. The reason for becoming street children was earning income for family/self, i.e., 48.67%.
Conclusion: This section of society is repeatedly ignored by the state, central government, and universally across the globe which was well evident in this study too. They are vulnerable to almost all disease conditions.
Key words: Street Children;Health;Abuse
Language: en |