Street children--a preliminary study.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the background, life styles, health and prevalence of abuse of street children in Colombo. STUDY SAMPLE 50 street children receiving temporary day care or night shelter from community service centres were serially recruited. DESIGN: A retrospective descriptive survey. Demographic, experiential and clinical data were collected by an interviewer, based on a semistructured questionnaire, followed by physical examination and laboratory investigation. RESULTS: The children were aged between 4 and 17 years. (Mean 10.5 years.) 64% were males and 18% belonged to ethnic minorities. The majority (84%) had family ties. Family disintegration was mentioned as the cause for life on the streets by 36%. Child labour was reported in 38%. 16% admitted to being sexually abused. 20% were tobacco smokers. Respiratory and skin infections, and injuries incurred in road traffic accidents were the main causes of morbidity. CONCLUSION: Street children in Colombo are an abused and exploited group. Road traffic accidents, and physical and sexual abuse are the main hazards of the street they are exposed to.