A new study conducted by researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine found that substance abuse was most common among street children in low-income countries.
It is not uncommon to see children living on the streets, especially in low-income countries. According to a 2004 report, over 100 million children live on the streets and these numbers have grown rapidly over the years. So how does street living affect these children?
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine conducted a review and analyses of 50 studies on substance abuse by street children in 22 low-income countries and found an alarming high rate of drug abuse among such children. Most of these substances are highly dangerous and cause serious damage to health.
The most common substances used were inhalants such as glue, acetone, gasoline and paint thinner, followed by tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. The reason why inhalers are more popular among street children is because they are cheaper and easily available. Such inhalants are known to cause cognitive and neurological impairments and psychological and physical dependence, developments that may make it harder for street children to reintegrate into society. They have also been linked to sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia and other causes.
"As a result of this review, we learned that we don't really know enough about what causes street children to start and stop using drugs. We also found that many studies of street children focus on boys, so we have even less information about girls' drug use," Paula Braitstein, Ph.D., associate research professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine and a Regenstrief Institute affiliated scientist, said in a press release. "Although we know that some street children exchange sex for drugs or have sex while under the influence of drugs, little else is known about the link between drug use and risky sex behavior. There are several critical gaps in our knowledge that we need to fill."
The percentage of drug use in different countries: 92 percent of street children in Honduras and Brazil indulged in substance abuse; In India, it was found to be 81% and 14% in Nigeria.
"The most important conclusion to draw from this large number of studies is not only is substance abuse by street children highly prevalent in low-income countries; it is largely ignored," Braitstein said. "These children are often malnourished, have significant health problems and lack education. This poses a massive public health problem, in terms of their future need for health care as well as potential for future productivity and/or re-integration back into society for countries with limited resources."
