In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 17, No. 3 ( 2022-3-18), p. e0265601-
Abstract:
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.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.g002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.t001
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10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.t005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.t006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s008
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s009
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.s010
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r005
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r006
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r007
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0265601.r008
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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