Affiliation:
1. National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
Abstract
Background: Street children are vulnerable to adverse health and risk behaviors and drug use. Substance use among street children has been well documented in several countries. This study reports sociodemographic and peer, family, and stress-related factors associated with substance use and non-use in a representative sample of street children of Delhi. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted through six NGOs working with street children, using Respondent Driven Sampling, in nine districts of Delhi (n = 766, 7–18 years). The multivariable model was developed by applying binary logistic regression analysis. Results: The rate of substance use was 49%. Significant association was found between substance use in the past year and increasing age [Odds Ratio: OR (95% Confidence Interval)] [1.22(1.12,1.33)], male sex [4.34 (2.28,8.26)], lacking psychosocial support from family/relatives [3.27(1.84,5.80)], being engaged in earning from illegal sources, [3.04(1.75,5.29)], family use of substance [2.59(1.38,4.89)], presence of substance-using peers [29.86(14.38,62.01)], lack of non-drug-using peers [2.35(1.46,3.79)], and not possessing basic amenities [2.26(1.31,3.93)]. Conclusion: Multiple modifiable factors exist within the family and peer group, including risk and protective factors or a consequence of substance use. Some challenges in the form of difficulty in reaching out to them and poor treatment seeking by those using substances warrant intensification in both primary and secondary prevention initiatives.
Subject
Clinical Psychology,Psychiatry and Mental health
Reference29 articles.
1. UNICEF. The State of the World’s Children 2021 [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2023 Aug 8]. https://www.unicef.org/reports/state-worlds-children-2021
2. Sankunni K. Estimated 18 million children live on streets in India, home to one of the largest child populations on Earth. Times Now News [Internet]. 2021 Apr 12 [cited 2023 Mar 14]. https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/estimated-18-million-children-live-on-streets-in-india-home-to-one-of-the-largest-child-populations-on-earth/744047
3. Access to drug and alcohol treatment among a cohort of street-involved youth
4. Social and health behaviors in youth of the streets of Ibadan, Nigeria