Health status of street children and reasons for being forced to live on the streets in Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Using mixed methods
Author:
Abate Degu, Eyeberu AddisORCID, Adare Dechasa, Negash Belay, Alemu Addisu, Beshir Temam, Deressa Wayessa Alemayehu, Debella Adera, Bahiru Nebiyu, Heluf Helina, Abdurke Kure Mohammed, Abdu AhmedmenewerORCID, Oljira Dulo Amanuel, Bekele HabtamuORCID, Bayu Kefelegn, Bogale Saron, Atnafe Genanaw, Assefa Tewodros, Belete RabumaORCID, Muzeyin Mohammed, Asmerom Haftu, Arkew MesayORCID, Mohammed Anumein, Asfaw Henock, Taddesse Barkot, Alemu DanielORCID, Yihun Dawit, Nigussie ShambelORCID, Yusuf Kebira JemalORCID, Aliyi Adem SirajORCID, Dirirsa Gebisa, Hailu Saba, Godana Abduro, Mamo Galana, Bekele Deribe, Dessie Yadeta
Abstract
Introduction
In Ethiopia, more than four million children are anticipated to live under particularly difficult circumstances. Street children are subject to violence, a lack of health care, and a lack of education. Which denies them the right to live in a secure environment and exposes them to different health problems. Currently, little is known about the prevalence of Streetism, including health conditions. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the health status of street children and determinants of Streetism.
Methods
Mixed methods (sequential) were employed from February 1 to 28, 2021. Quantitative cross-sectional study design and phenomenological qualitative designs were applied. Overall, 220 street children were involved in the study. The most common reason that forced the children to resort to a street way of life is to look for a job and quarreled with parents. The data were collected using interviews methods. Chi-square test and multiple binary logistic regression were applied to examine the variations among variables with the health status of street children. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique.
Results
The study included a total of 220 street children. As to the quantitative study, the majority of study participants (92.73%) drank alcohol regularly. Depression (39.22%) and peer pressure (43.14%) were the most common initiation causes of drinking alcohol. According to a qualitative study report, "Street children are mostly affected by the communicable disease” and… They are addicted to substances like benzene” which had a profound effect on their health.” Furthermore, the study discovered a statistically significant association between respondents’ health status and sociodemographic characteristics (age and educational status), job presence, and drug use.
Conclusion
This study identified the factors that drove street children to live on the streets, such as the inability to find work and disagreements with their parents. The majority of the street children were affected by preventable and treatable diseases. Unfortunately, almost all street children reported drinking alcohol, which exposed them to a variety of health problems. In general, the study discovered that street children require immediate attention. Decision-makers and academicians should collaborate to develop a plan for these children’s health and social interventions.
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subject
Multidisciplinary
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