HIV Risk Behaviour among Street Children Attending U.Y.D.E.L Clinic in Bakuli - Kampala

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A study was undertaken to investigate the nature; pattern and correlates of high HIV risk behaviour among street children attending the Uganda Youth Development Link (U.Y.D.E.L) Clinic in Bakuli; Kampala. Methodology: A total of 136 street children were consecutively interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. This instrument contained; socio-demographic variables; reasons for leaving home; nature of street childr career; previous attempts at resettlement; substance abuse behaviour; knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS; high HIV risk behaviour and medical illness. Data analysis was undertaken using EPI-Info statistical package 6.0; this involved generating frequencies and frequency tables. Results: Most of the street children seen were male 129(94.8) with a male to female ratio of 181 and were largely 130(95.6) between the ages of 10-19 years of age. Mistreatment 66(48.5) and poverty leading to premature discontinuation of formal education 62(52.6) appears to be the main social factors underlying the decision to opt for the street. Substance abuse behaviour was reported 99(72.8) with the following substances abused; aviation fuel (tina) 90(66.2); cigarettes 31(22.8); marijuana 21(15.4); khat 14(10.3) and alcohol 11(8.1). Some of the children 20(20.2) abused more than one substance. Perceived causes of HIV/AIDS as reported by the children included organism 111(81.6) but 25(18.9) did not know the cause or reporting a wrong answer. For the perceived mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS; 105(77.2) correctly reported sex; 31(22.8) reported infected needles 29(21.3) blood transfusion and 10(7.4) mother to baby. The misperceived ideas about HIV transmission included; sharing food/drink 7(5.1) and hand shake 4(2.9) with 15(11) reporting ignorance about mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS. The majority of street children 100(73.5) were not sexually active. But those who were sexually active 36(26.5) displayed high HIV risk behaviour with; 27(58.3) reporting unprotected sex; 4(11.1) sex for money; 2(5.6) having suffered genital ulcers/discharge 2(5.6) multiple sexual partners. Only 6(16.6) reported regular use of a condom with 1(2.8) having taken an HIV test before. Conclusions and REcommendations: There is need for the design and development of HIV/AIDS awareness programmes that specifically target street children. These programmes need to address the deficits in knowledge and the small but high HIV risk group of sexually active children