The impact of drop-in centers on the health of street children in New Delhi, India: A cross-sectional study. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nath, Ronita; Shannon, Harry; Georgiades, Kathy; Sword, Wendy; Raina, Parminder
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 62(2016)
• Page Start: 122
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Street children -- Health status -- Drop-in centers -- India -- Substance abuse; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: (1) To determine whether street children who visit drop-in centers experience better physical and mental health, and engage in less substance use than street children who do not visit centers. (2) To determine whether the duration of attendance at a center has an impact on the above outcomes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 69 street children from two drop-in centers in New Delhi, India (attenders) and a comparison group of 65 street children who did not visit drop-in centers (non-attenders). We used pretested questionnaires to assess their physical health, substance use status and mental health. Results: Attenders experienced fewer ill health outcomes, engaged in less substance use, and had better mental health outcomes than non-attenders (p < 0.01). For every month of attendance at a drop-in center, street children experienced 2.1% (95% CI 0% to 4.1%, p = 0.05) fewer ill health outcomes per month and used 4.6% (95% CI 1.3% to 8%, p = 0.01) fewer substances. Street children were also less likely to have been a current substance user than a never substance user for every additional month of attendance at a center (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66–0.96, p = 0.02). Duration of drop-in center attendance was not a significant factor in predicting mental health problems. Conclusion: Drop-in centers may improve the physical health of street children and reduce their substance abuse. Rigorous longitudinal studies are needed to better determine if drop-in centers impact the health and substance use status of street children in LMICs.