An assessment of the psychosocial distress and problems faced by street children living in Kolkata city: a cross-sectional study

Background: Street children constitute a marginalized group in most societies. These children experience social and behavioural problems resulting from their environmental influences, school and peer interactions, home and family settings, or any combination of these. Keeping in view the prevalence of psychosocial distress among street children, this study was undertaken to assess the levels of psychosocial distress and problems faced by orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) living in Kolkata city. Methods: This was a cross sectional analytical study. A total of 127 children were interviewed with the help of pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire. GHQ-12 scale was used to measure the symptoms of the psychosocial distress. Bivariate analysis with the help of Chi-square test was done to determine variations in the psychosocial distress experienced by OVC by age, gender, duration of stay on streets, education. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 15±2 years. About one third of the children showed symptoms of severe psycho-social distress with 30% of children showing signs of intentional self-harm. Age, education and duration of living on the streets were some of the factors that showed significant correlation with the levels of psychosocial distress. Conclusions: The study concludes that although institutional care and support from NGOs takes care of basic amenities such as shelter, food and education, there is a need to address the psychological needs of the children through teacher sensitization programmes. A well-informed caregiver would be able to address the needs of children under his supervision and care.

Factores relacionados con la higiene personal de la calle niños en el sitio de disposición final de residuos en Distrito de Mangagala, ciudad de Makassar, Indonesia / Factors related to personal hygiene of street children in the final waste disposal site in Manggala district, Makassar city, Indonesia

Background. Street children are a real phenomenon in everyday life that cause complex social and health problems, dirty appearance, come from poor families, slum settlements or even street children do not have a place to live. The number of homeless people, beggars and street children has decreased, there were 990 street children and homeless people with beggars in Makassar City in 2012. There were 798 street children in Makassar City in 2016 who were recorded by Social Service officers from a number of points. Makassar road with various problems. This number includes 257 street children, 249 homeless and beggars, 58 buskers, 41 prostitutes, 5 transgender women, 63 drug users, and 125 mental disorders. The results of the observations of street children were found with traffic light and garbage disposal sites. These places are often found with dirty, dirty appearance, dirty clothes, smelly, unkempt hair, dirty hands, not wearing sandals and sometimes they eat without washing their hands, which can cause health problems for street children. Based on this background, the researcher is interested in examining the factors related to the personal hygiene of street children in the final waste disposal site in Manggala District, Makassar City. Material and Methods. The research is analytic observation using the Cross-Sectional study. The study was conducted in 21 October 2019 - 31 December 2019. The population was the patients with street children numbered 88 people, a purposive sampling technique was applied through chic square, uji continuity correction and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. The results showed that the variables age, gender, education and knowledge had a relationship with personal hygiene (pvalue 0.035), the R-square value was 0.897, which means that the ability of the independent variable to explain the dependent variable was 89.7% and 10.3% explained. by factors other than variables. Conclusion. Knowledge variable has a significant effect on personal hygiene (pvalue <0.001), the magnitude of the influence is indicated by the value of Exp (B) 26.6, which means that street children who are knowledgeable are at least 26.6 times less likely to have personal hygiene than street children with good knowledge

Crianças em situação de rua: malabares da exclusão

Este artigo discute os comportamentos de crianças em situação de rua, que frequentam semáforos, na cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Para o levantamento de dados foram realizadas 12 observações simples, com duração de 2 horas cada, objetivando coletar informações referentes aos comportamentos das crianças nos semáforos. Para análise do material, foi utilizada a estratégia de Análise de Conteúdo de Bardin. A partir dos resultados contrapôs-se os dados à teorias que apresentam análises sobre o desenvolvimento infantil e vulnerabilidade social. Constata-se que, sendo a inteligência algo que se constrói, também, social e economicamente, as crianças em situação de rua encontram-se em desvantagem. A vulnerabilização social, somada a uma exclusão que é também afetiva, produz nas crianças modos muito específicos de viver ligados à estratégias de sobrevivência na rua.

Este artículo discute los comportamientos de los niños en las calles, que frecuentan los semáforos en la ciudad de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande del Sur, Brasil. Para la recolección de datos se llevaron a cabo 12 observaciones simples, con una duración de 2 horas cada una, con el objetivo de recopilar información sobre el comportamiento de los niños en los semáforos. Para el análisis del material, se utilizó la estrategia de Bardin Análisis de Contenido. Los resultados de los datos fueron contrarrestados con las teorías que proporcionan un análisis del desarrollo del niño y la vulnerabilidad social. Se confirma que, en tanto la inteligencia es algo que se construye, también, social y económicamente, los niños en situación de calle están en desventaja. La vulnerabilización social, añadida a la exclusión que también es afectiva, produce en el niño formas de vida muy específicas en relación con las estrategias de supervivencia en la calle

This article discusses the behaviors of street children attending traffic lights in the city of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The data collection consisted of 12 simple observations, each lasting 2 hours, aiming to collect information about the behavior of children at traffic lights. For material analysis, the Bardin Content Analysis strategy was used. From the results, the data were contrasted with theories that present analyzes about child development and social vulnerability. It is noticed that, since intelligence is something that is also built, socially and economically, street children are at a disadvantage. Social vulnerability, coupled with an exclusion that is also affective, produces in children very specific ways of living linked to strategies for survival on the street

Activo distribution and paraphernalia among "street children" / Distribución del activo y la parafernalia entre "niños de la calle"

Abstract Introduction The use of solvent inhalants has been documented in Mexico since the 1970s. Nevertheless, very little is known about the distribution and use dynamics among "street children". Few have ventured to study this issue because of the difficulties involved in working with marginalized, relatively inaccessible populations. Objective To analyze the distribution and consumption dynamics of activo, as it is known among street children in downtown Mexico City, and to document the paraphernalia and argot associated with these practices. Method This is a qualitative, descriptive, and interpretative study guided by the "Meeting Place" approach used by Hughes (1977), which has been adapted to Mexican population by Ortiz (1979). We also used ethnographic observation techniques and a social and immersion mapping of street spaces that allowed us to contact and relate to both informants and users. Results We identified activo distributors and storage areas; user groups were made up of men and women in a 7-3 ratio; physical and psycho-social characteristics of sellers and users, and some street argot and paraphernalia that allowed us to understand the dynamics of distribution and consumption. Discussion and conclusion The activo market is both captive and hidden; it is detrimental to the physical and mental health of street children, and is fostered by social exclusion and the lack of legislation.

Resumen Introducción El consumo de solventes inhalables se ha documentado en México desde la década de 1970; sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre la dinámica de distribución y consumo entre los "niños de la calle". Este tema se ha estudiado poco por las dificultades inherentes al trabajo con poblaciones marginales y de difícil acceso. Objetivo Analizar la dinámica de distribución y consumo del "activo" entre los "niños de la calle" de la zona centro de la Ciudad de México, así como documentar la parafernalia y el argot asociados a estas prácticas. Método Es un estudio de tipo cualitativo, de carácter descriptivo-interpretativo, guiado por el enfoque llamado "Lugares de Reunión" empleado por Hughes (1977) y adaptado a población mexicana por Ortiz (1979). También se emplearon técnicas etnográficas de observación, mapeo social e inmersión en los espacios de calle, que sirvieron para contactar y establecer un vínculo con los informantes y consumidores. Resultados Se identifican distribuidores y zonas de almacenamiento del activo; grupos de consumidores formados por hombres y mujeres en una proporción de 7 a 3; signos físicos y características psicosociales de vendedores y usuarios, así como el argot y parafernalia; lo que permite comprender la dinámica de distribución y consumo. Discusión y conclusión El mercado del activo es cautivo y oculto, deteriora la salud física y mental de los "niños de la calle" y es promovido además por la exclusión social y la falta de legislación.

Granja-hogar La Huella para niños y adolescentes: fusión metodológica de involucramiento radical / The La Huella farm-home for children and adolescents: methodological fusion of radical involvement / Chácara e lar “La Huella” para crianças e adolescentes: fusão metodológica deenvolvimento radical

El objetivo del estudio fue considerar las claves del éxito del sistema educativo para niños, niñas y adolescentes del hogar La Huella en sus primeros 25 años. La experiencia es un referente, y el conocimiento de sus características puede aportar a la generación de nuevas prácticas con poblaciones juveniles. Se estudiaron materiales institucionales, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, y se analizaron los elementos centrales de la propuesta.El involucramiento personal de los educadores y el diseño de la experiencia resultaron claves en su éxito: la conjunción de ambiente de familia, vida comunitaria, referentes educativos estables, relación con la naturaleza, y educación en el trabajo doméstico y agrario.

Abstract (descriptive): The aim of the study was to consider the key elements of the success ofthe education system for children and adolescents in the La Huella home for street children in its first25 years. The experience is an important reference point, and awareness of its characteristics cancontribute to the generation of new practices with youth populations. Information materials producedby public institutions were collected and studied, a series semi-structured interviews were conductedand the central elements of the La Huella proposal were analyzed. The personal commitment of theeducators and the way in which the experience was designed were key to its success. The projectinvolved the combination of a family environment, community life, stable educational staff, arelationship with nature and education in domestic and agricultural work.

O objetivo do estudo foi considerar as chaves do sucesso do sistema de educação para crianças e adolescentes do lar “La Huella” nos seus primeiros 25 anos. A experiência é uma referência, e o conhecimento de suas características pode contribuir para a geração de novas práticas com populações jovens. Materiais institucionais foram estudados, foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas, e os elementos centrais da proposta foram analisados. O envolvimento pessoal dos educadores e o desenho da experiência foram fundamentais para o seu sucesso: a combinação de ambiente familiar, vida comunitária, referentes educacionais estáveis,relacionamento com a natureza, e educação no trabalho doméstico e agrícola.

"Devemos continuar?" identidade, história e utopia do educador de rua / "Debemos seguir?" identidad, historia y utopia del educador de calle / "Should we continue?" identity, history and utopia of the street educator

Resumo O propósito deste trabalho foi refletir como os educadores de rua articulam o pensamento utópico com o pensamento histórico, a partir dos relatos de suas experiências ao longo de quinze anos. O sintagma identidade-metamorfose-emancipação (Ciampa, 2003) e os conceitos de pensamento utópico e pensamento histórico (Habermas, 1987) formam o arcabouço teórico que embasa a presente pesquisa. Utilizamos na coleta de dados a entrevista "não diretiva centrada" (Minayo, 1999). Observou-se que é possível articular história e utopia. O estudo indica que, para que essa articulação seja possível, é necessário que o sujeito tenha a flexibilidade de reinventar seus projetos utópicos, mudando assim de projeto emancipatório, mas não perdendo de vista a energia utópica que o move. Concluímos, também, que os profissionais que articularam os dois movimentos tendem a apresentar uma postura pós-convencional diante da vida.

Resumen El propósito del presente estudio ha sido reflejar cómo los educadores de la calle articulan el pensamiento utópico con el pensamiento histórico, a partir de los relatos de sus experiencias a lo largo de quince años. El marco teórico del trabajo es el sintagma "Identidad-metamorfosis-emancipación" de Ciampa (2003) y los conceptos del pensamiento utópico y pensamiento histórico de Habermas (1987). En la colección de datos se utilizó la técnica "no directiva centrada" (Minayo, 1999). Se observó que es posible articular la historia y la utopía. El estudio indica que para que sea posible, es necesario que el sujeto tenga flexibilidad para reinventar sus proyectos utópicos. Por lo tanto, se hace necesario el cambio de proyecto de emancipación, pero sin perder de vista la energía utópica que se le mueve. También se puede concluir que los profesionales que articulan esos dos movimientos tienden a tener una actitud post-convencional en sus vidas.

Abstract The purpose of this work was to reflect how street educators articulate utopian thinking with historical thinking, based on the reports of their experiences over fifteen years of practice. The theoretical framework used is based in the identity-metamorphosis-emancipation sintagma developed by Ciampa (2003) and in the notions of utopic thinking and historical thinking.(Habermas, 1987). The empirical research is based on interview classified by Minayo (1999) as "non directive centered". The observation revealed that it is possible to articulate history and utopia. The study indicates that whoever embraces the utopia thinking, and wants it to become reality, has to develop the flexibility to reinvent his own utopic projects, therefore changing his emancipatory project without losing the utopic perspective. We conclude also that those professionals who are able to articulate both movements tend to have a post-conventional stance in life.

Plight of Street Children: An Explorative Study from Varanasi, India.

Rapid pace of unplanned urbanization in the developing countries has resulted in a large proportion of children becoming homeless, leading to multiple children living on the streets. These children are highly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Against this background, studies on the situational analysis of street children across India are needed; therefore, a study to assess the condition of street children in the city of Varanasi was planned. Street children registered with a nongovernmental organization were contacted. Four hundred and fifteen children were selected by random sampling, and this group was administered a semi‑structured interview containing 35 items. It was found that all forms of abuse were common, but physical abuse (74%) was highest and the police (25.5%) was an important perpetrator. Younger children were much more vulnerable. The sample commonly had boys and between the ages of 10 and 15 years. It was concluded that these children need policies to be incorporated into the mainstream.

Confiabilización de una Escala para Evaluar la Dimensión Social del Autoconcepto en Niños de la Calle

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo la elaboración, validación y confiabilización de una escala que evalúe la dimensión social del autoconcepto en niños de la calle y en la calle. La muestra está compuesta por 300 niños en dicha situación, seleccionados de manera no probabilística intencional en los puntos de encuentro detectados por el DDF (Departamento del Distrito Federal) de la Ciudad de México. La base del instrumento es la Escala de Autoconcepto de De la Rosa. Para validar y confiabilizar el instrumento, se lleva a cabo el procedimiento de validez de constructo. Se realizan análisis estadísticos descriptivos de la muestra e inferenciales del instrumento. Los resultados del instrumento indican un Alpha de Cronbach total de .786, donde destacan los factores de Comportamiento Asocial con .7593, Accesibilidad con .7239 y Satisfacción de Reconocimiento con .8114, de Alpha de Cronbach, respectivamente.

The present research has as objective the elaboration, validation, and confiabilization of a scale that evaluates the social dimension of the self-concept in street children and in the street children, The sample is composed with 300 in that condition, selected in a non probabilistic intentional way in the meeting paints detected by the Federal District Department of Mexico City. The base of the instrument is the Self-Concept Scale by De La Rosa. In order to validate and give confiability to the instrument, construct validity procedure is carried out. Descriptive statistics of the sample are made, and inferential about the instrument. The results of the instrument indicate a total Cronbach's Alpha of .786, which highlight the Unsocial Behavior factors with .7593, Accessibility with .7239 and Recognition Satisfaction with .8114 of the Cronbach's Alpha, respectively.

Prevalence of multiple nutritional deficiencies among the street children of Khammam City of Telangana State.

Background: To study the nutritional status of the street children in Khammam city. Methods: Type of study: A prospective and descriptive study. Study Population: All the street children in the city who are less than 18 years of age. 3 Sample size: out of total 384 street children in the city, 250 were included in the study. Selection criteria: Children in different age groups of both sexes were selected. Data regarding nutritional and health status was collected by using pretested structured questionnaire after obtaining proper consent. Results: A total of 250 street children were interviewed. Out of total 250 children included in the study 162 (68.4%) were undernourished (BMI< 18.5).157 (62.8%) were suffering from nutritional anaemia. 38 (15.2%) children had various symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency.( Night blindness 8%, conjunctival xerosis 1.2%, Bitots spots 6%).A total of 62 (24.7%) children had various symptoms of group B vitamins deficiencies. Conclusion: There is an urgent need of coordination among development agents working for the rights of street children and information sharing among all stakeholders to enhance implementation strategies.

Indicadores antropométricos de la niñez en situación de calle en Medellín, Colombia / Anthropometric indicators of children on the streets in Medellin, Colombia

OBJETIVO:describir los indicadores antropométricos de Índice de Masa Corporal para la Edad (IMC/e) y Talla para la Edad (t/e) de niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA) en situación de calle (SC) de Medellín, según características sociodemográficas y de consumo de drogas. METODOLOGIA:estudio descriptivo de 453 historiales de atención médica y nutricional de NNA en SC. Los indicadores antropométricos se categorizaron de acuerdo a los patrones de crecimiento aceptados para Colombia. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo bivariado entre indicadores antropométricos y variables sociodemográficas y de consumo de drogas. RESULTADOS: el 27,8% de los NNA tenía talla baja y el 35,3%, riesgo de talla baja. La talla baja fue mayor en hombres (89,7%) que en mujeres (10,3%) (p < 0,05). Con respecto al IMC/e, el 4,2% presentó delgadez, el 14,1% riesgo de delgadez y, un 2,2% presentó exceso de peso. Se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,01) entre el IMC/e y la edad y entre t/e y el sexo y el nivel de escolaridad. CONCLUSIONES:los NNA en SC presentan indicadores antropométricos que evidencian una desfavorable situación nutricional, especialmente para los adolescentes del sexo masculino. Es necesario, además de políticas y programas orientados a la recuperación nutricional de la población, abordar los determinantes estructurales que ocasionan la pobreza, la inequidad y la inseguridad alimentaria en la ciudad para prevenir la situación de vida en calle de NNA.

OBJECTIVE:to describe the anthropometric indicators of body mass index for age (BMI/A) and height for age (H/A) in children and adolescents living on the streets of Medellin, according to sociodemographic and drug abuse characteristics. METHODOLOGY: a descriptive study of 453 medical and nutritional records of homeless children and adolescents. The anthropometric indicators were categorized according to growth patterns accepted for Colombia. A bivariate descriptive analysis between anthropometric, sociodemographic and drug abuse variables was conducted. RESULTS :27.8% of children and adolescents had stunting and 35.3%, had risk of stunting. Stunting was higher for men (89.7%) than for women (10.3%) (p < 0.05). As for bmi/a, 4.2% of the individuals had thinness, 14.1% risk of thinness and 2.2% had weight excess. Additionally, a statistically significant association (p < 0.01) between bmi/a and age and between H/A and sex and educational level was found. CONCLUSIONS: the homeless children and adolescents assessed in this study had anthropometric indicators that show an unfavorable nutritional status, especially male adolescents. Besides having programs and policies for recovering this population's nutrition, it is also necessary to prevent the situation of street life in nna, by addressing structural determinants that cause poverty, inequity and food insecurity in the city.

Definiciones de Habitante de Calle y de Niño, Niña y Adolescente en Situación de Calle: Diferencias y Yuxtaposiciones / Definitions of Homeless and Street Children: Differences and Juxtapositions

Resumen: En el presente texto se rastrea la discusión contemporánea sobre la definición de habitante de calle (homeless). Se evidencia que las definiciones son variadas, dinámicas, históricas y tienen connotaciones políticas. Estas se suelen dividir entre amplias y restringidas, o entre habitacionales y sociales. Se plantea que las definiciones usadas en países desarrollados son amplias y no encajan con la forma en que ha sido investigado dicho fenómeno en los países en vía de desarrollo. También se analiza las diferencias que habría en la forma que se define niños y niñas en situación de calle y su relación con la definición de habitabilidad en calle en general. Finalmente se propone un esquema gráfico para representar las yuxtaposiciones entre las diferentes definiciones.

Abstract: The paper traces the current discussion on the definition of homeless. It was found that the definitions are varied, dynamic, historical and have political connotations. The definitions are usually divided between extensive and restricted, or between housing and social orientation. It is argued that the definitions used in developed countries are extensive and do not fit the way it has been investigated this phenomenon in developing countries. It also discusses the differences in the way that children on the streets have been defined and its relation to the definition of homelessness. Finally, is proposed a graphic to represent the juxtapositions between the diverse definitions.

Lack of association between the 5-HTTLPR and positive screening for mental disorders among children exposed to urban violence and maltreatment

Objective: To ascertain whether genetic variations in the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR 44-bp insertion/deletion polymorphism) influence an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents exposed to high levels of violence. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from a group of children who were working on the streets and from their siblings who did not work on the streets. DNA was extracted from the saliva samples and analyzed for 5-HTTLPR polymorphism genotypes. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven children between the ages of 7 and 14 years were analyzed (114 child workers and 63 siblings). Data on socioeconomic conditions, mental symptoms, and presence and severity of maltreatment and urban violence were collected using a sociodemographic inventory and clinical instruments. There was no positive correlation between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and presence of mental symptoms in our sample, although the children were exposed to high levels of abuse, neglect, and urban violence. Conclusions: Despite previous studies that associated adult psychiatric disorders with the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and a history of childhood maltreatment, no such association was found in this sample of children at risk. .

Identificando adolescentes em situação de rua com potencial para altas habilidades/ superdotação / Identifying teens who live in the streets for potencial high abilities/ giftedness

A presente pesquisa investigou adolescentes em situação de rua com potencial para Altas Habilidades/Superdotação (AH/SD). O método utilizado foi a Inserção Ecológica abrangendo visão contextualizada mediante a história de vida, características dos sujeitos, concepções sobre as potencialidades nos contextos de interação, fatores de risco e proteção ao desenvolvimento. Os participantes envolveram os técnicos do Programa Municipal Criança Urgente, quatro adolescentes indicados, seus responsáveis e professores daqueles que frequentavam a escola durante a pesquisa. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram: Escala para Avaliação das Características Comportamentais de Habilidades Superiores adaptada de Renzulli-Hartman; Escala de Autoconceito Infanto-Juvenil; TAEC - Test de Abreacción para Evaluar La Creatividad e Entrevistas Semiestruturadas. O cruzamento dos dados obtidos permitiu delinear o perfil de potencialidades de cada adolescente pesquisado. Estas contribuem para o reconhecimento, aceitação e valorização da cidadania e superação das adversidades em benefício social.

The present study investigated adolescents who live in the streets for potential High Ability / Giftedness. The method used was Ecological Insertion, that addresses a contextualized perspective that looks at life histories, subject characteristics, concepts about potential in the contexts of interaction, as well as risk and protective factors for development. The participants were staff members of the Programa Municipal Criança Urgente, four teenagers, their guardians and teachers of those who attended school during the study. The instruments used to collect data were: Renzulli-Hartman adapted scale for rating behavioral characteristics of superior students, Self-Concept Scale for Children and Youth; TAEC - Test de Abreacción para Evaluar La Creatividad and semi-structured interviews. Crossing data enabled us to define the potentiality profiles for each adolescent participant. The results contribute to recognizing, accepting and valuing citizenship and overcoming adversities in order to achieve social benefits.

Study of health status of street children in Khammam City of Andhra Pradesh.

Background: The objective was to study the health status of the street children in Khammam city and to study the socio-cultural environment of the street children in Khammam city. Methods: Type of study: A prospective and descriptive study. Study Population: All the street children in the city who are less than 18 years of age. 3Sample size: out of total 384 street children in the city, 150 were included in the study. Selection criteria: Children in different age groups of both sexes were selected. A total of 150 street children were included in the study. Data regarding socio-cultural environment and health status was collected by using pretested structured questionnaire after obtaining proper consent. Results: A total of 150 street children were interviewed (Males 86 and females 64). The mean duration of stay on street was 5.31 years. Nearly 10% of children were illiterate. The overall personal hygiene of the children was very bad. 97 (64.7%) children were malnourished. 6.7% of children had scabies. 30.66% children were anaemic. 46% children had Vit A deficiency. 17.33% children had Vit B deficiency. 34.7% children had visual problems. 18.66% children had ear and hearing problems. 60.66% of children had dental problems. 5.3% children had some psychiatric problems. 42.66% children had various addictions. Conclusion: There is an urgent need of coordination among development agents working for the rights of street children and information sharing among all stakeholders to enhance implementation strategies.

Exposure to maltreatment and urban violence in children working on the streets in São Paulo, Brazil: factors associated with street work

Objective: To quantitatively study the exposure to childhood maltreatment and urban violence in children from families with at least one child working on the streets and to investigate the relationship between these factors and street work. Methods: Families who participated in a nongovernmental organization (NGO) program to eliminate child labor were included. Data concerning sociodemographic characteristics, punishment methods used in the family environment against the children, five types of abuse and neglect perpetrated by the caregivers, urban violence exposure and family functioning were collected. Results: The sample included 126 children who were working on the streets and 65 siblings who were not working on the streets. Caregivers reported high levels of severe physical punishment. The children reported high levels of abuse and neglect, and high levels of urban violence exposure. The families showed a predominance of dysfunctional and unsatisfactory relationships. A multiple logistic regression model showed that age older than 12 years and severe physical punishment at home were associated with street work. Conclusion: Interventions to decrease the risk of child street work should be family-focused and should aim to reduce violence in the family environment. .

Assessment of Nutritional Status of Street Children in Selected Wards of an Urban Area.

Malnutrition is the gravest single threat to global public health. Malnutrition is by far the largest contributor of child mortality globally. Severe hunger is especially prevalent amongst street children who are most vulnerable to disease and live under extremely difficult conditions. The objective of the paper is to assess the nutritional status and association between socio-demographic factors in street children from selected wards of the urban area. The study place is selected wards of Mumbai. History was taken from parents or relatives of the child while clinical examination and anthropometric measurements were performed on the child. The data collected is from a cross-sectional study where a pre-designed structured questionnaire was used. The used method for obtaining samples is a universal one. The statistical analysis is for conditions of stunting, under nutrition and wasting and was calculated according to WHO growth standards set forth in 2006.121 children were surveyed, out of which 56 were females. About 77 per cent out of total children were malnourished. Out of the total number of malnourished children, 43 per cent of children were stunted, 38 per cent were underweight and 19 per cent are wasted. About 36 per cent had fever, 27 per cent had U.R.T.I and 17 per cent had suffered from diarrhoea in the past one year. Of the total number of children, about 26 per cent had not been given colostrum and 73 per cent were not exclusively breast fed. Majority of the malnourished children were not exclusively breastfed and they had suffered from infections in the past one year. Maternal education had a strong inverse relationship to nutritional status.

La banda y sus choros: Un grupo de niños de la calle hilando historias de edad, género y liderazgo / La banda and their choros: A group of street children narrating tales about leadership, gender and age

Este artículo narra la historia de los chavos de Bucareli, un grupo de niños de la calle de la Ciudad de México, quienes también eran conocidos como "la banda del metro Juárez". Documentar su vida cotidiana por un periodo de tres años me ha permitido formular tres puntos de análisis relacionados con la diferenciación interna del poder, puntos también válidos para otras 15 bandas de niños de la calle de la Ciudad de México. Primero, es importante poner en una perspectiva de edad las dinámicas sociales de liderazgo y género que se dan al interior de la banda y entre las diferentes bandas. Segundo, los principios que estructuran la vida en las calles, como el liderazgo, el género y la edad, tienen un carácter inherentemente evanescente como consecuencia de la interacción de limitaciones internas y externas a la banda. Tercero, la falta de vivienda genera un mundo de paradojas y contradicciones. La diferenciación de poder entre personas que carecen relativamente de poder es una contradicción; y las dinámicas de liderazgo, género y edad demuestran las paradojas de las relaciones internas de la banda. Dichas paradojas pueden ser particularmente alienantes en las relaciones entre los niños de calle y los adultos que fungen como padres o madres sustitutos. Este análisis etnográfico de la "enloquecedora falta de una vivienda" es relevante para la salud mental. Las historias narradas por los "gamines" en torno al liderazgo, el género y la edad esconden su fragilidad, porque en ellas los niños de la calle se atribuyen un poder del cual carecen en realidad. Más que meramente síntomas de locura o una personalidad manipuladora, estas historias testifican la creatividad y la resiliencia de estos jóvenes. El poder ilusorio de sus "choros" les facilita vivir con aparente armonía en las condiciones en que viven.

This article recounts the story of the Bucareli boys, a group of street children in Mexico City who were also known as the banda of metro Juárez. Documenting the "Buca" boys over a period of three years allowed me to formulate three insights about the internal power differentiation in terms of leadership, gender, and age. These insights are valid as well, I think, for the other 15 bandas where I did fieldwork. First, it is important to place the dynamics of leadership and gender relations in an age perspective. Second, as structuring principles of street life, leadership, gender and age have an inherently evanescent character, due to an interplay of constraints that are both internal and external to the banda. My third suggestion concurs with Liebow in that homelessness creates a world of paradoxes and contradictions. Power differentiation among relatively powerless people is a contradiction in terms; and the dynamics of leadership, gender and age disclose paradoxical social ties within the banda. These can be particularly harrowing in the relations between street kids and the young adults posing as surrogate fathers and mothers. This ethnographic analysis of "crazy-making homelessness" is relevant for mental health. The kids' story-telling about leadership and gender relations veiled their fragility, since in these tales they attributed themselves a power which they did not have in reality. More than mere symptoms of psychopathology or a manipulative personality disorder, these stories testify to the creativity and resilience of these young people. The illusory power of the choros, the bullshit tales about street children, enables them to live in apparent harmony under the conditions in which they live.

Street children in Colombo: What brings them to and sustains them on the streets.

Introduction: Street children are a vulnerable group and a social problem. Weaning them off the streets requires an understanding of push/pull factors related to street life. Objectives: To describe factors associated with initiation and continuation of street life among street children in Colombo city. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study of mixed methods was conducted in Colombo Fort, Pettah, Slave Island and Maradana areas. Semi-structured interviews (SSIs) were conducted with key informants using a semi-structured questionnaire (SSQ). Focus group discussions were conducted using a moderator’s question guide with street children recruited through referral sampling. SSIs were also conducted with 25 street children, using a SSQ. All children identified through referral sampling were subsequently profiled. Data triangulation was used to validate data. Results: Two hundred and eighty three children, aged 8-18 years, were recruited, 210 (74%) being boys. Representation of minority ethnic groups was comparatively higher. Over 40% of children had been introduced to street life by their own family. Other common mediators included close family relatives, non-relative known contacts and peers. Common reported reasons for initiation of street life were: death / illness / imprisonment of one or both parent/s, extreme poverty, alcohol/substance abuse by fathers and being born in streets. One third of children lived in single-parent families and 42% with non-parent adults but 18% lacked an adult guardian. They had poor educational achievements and no occupational skills. Conclusions: Disadvantaged socio-economic conditions, poor family functioning and family influence have brought children to the streets.

Psychopathology, temperament and substance abuse in street children

Background: Street children are vulnerable to various psychological disturbances. Assessment of these can help in identifying areas of intervention, which can prevent further damage caused to their life. Aim: To study the demographic profile, street activities, reasons leading them to street life, psychiatric morbidity and substance abuse pattern of street children. Method: This study was conducted in the age group of 5 to 15 years staying in a shelter home run by a local organization. Results: Majority of the boys had left their homes after 10 years of age, and belonged to dysfunctional families. Majority had substance abuse pattern. Many of them showed low self-confidence, low frustration tolerance, poor attention span and difficulty in communication. Conclusions: Proper understanding of risk factors which drive children to street may help reduce the number of such children. Also, early identification of psychological disturbances in such children, timely intervention and enriched environment may prevent further damage to their future.

Jovens em situação de rua: espaço, tempo, negociações de sentido / Street children: space, time, sense negotiations

Trata-se de uma pesquisa etnográfica, realizada durante três meses, em Natal/RN, com grupo de pessoas em situação de rua (em torno de 11), predominantemente jovens entre 16-18 anos. Dois itens de investigação: as determinações (a) do ambiente físico e social das ruas e (b) da paisagem discursiva, construída em negociações de sentido com outros grupos, sobre as condições de existência desses jovens. Foram analisadas a construção sócio-histórica da condição social da rua e as práticas de espaço desses jovens e de outros grupos com quem interagem. As práticas de espaço de cada grupo são diferentes, produzindo o conflito entre eles. Essas duas análises se mostraram inseparáveis na compreensão dos modos de produção de sentido por e sobre esses jovens em práticas sociais com que estão implicados, pelas quais se esclarece também a produção de sentimentos de insegurança e hostilidade entre os jovens e os outros grupos estudados.

This is an ethnographic research, conducted over three months, in Natal/RN, with a homeless group (about 11), prevailingly young people between 16 and 18 years old. Two items of research: the determination a) of physical and social environment of streets and b) discursive landscape, built in sense negotiations with other groups, on these youths and their lives. The socio-historical construction of the social condition of street was analyzed, also the space practices of these youths and other groups with whom they interact. The space practices are different for each group, generating conflict among them. These two analyses are inseparable of the understanding of production of meaning by and about these youths, inside social practices that they are involved. Those analyses explain the production of insecurity and hostility feelings among these youths and other groups too.