Global Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
Sodzo International, Houston, Texas, USA.
BMJ Paediatr Open. 2024 Oct 30;8(1):e002957. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002957.
Street-involved children and youth (SICY) face significant challenges, including structural and social exclusion, and multiple forms of abuse. Global estimates indicate there are 10-15 million SICY worldwide, with over 250 000 in Kenya alone. There is limited understanding of the timing of these abuse experiences, which may inform interventional efforts.
This study analysed relationships between the duration of street exposure, sleep location and experiences of abuse among formerly SICY (aged 6-19 years) in Kenya. Data were collected from participants in the Watoto wa Ahadi Rescue Center programme over a 6-year period (2016-2022). Abuse experiences were categorised into physical, emotional, economic and sexual abuse. Statistical analyses, including Lowess-curve plots and piecewise logit regression, were used to explore the relationships between street exposure duration, sleep location and reported abuse experiences.
The sample consisted of 228 unique children, predominantly male, with a mean age of 13.2 years. Physical abuse (37%), emotional abuse (36%), economic abuse (28%) and any abuse (69%) were common, while sexual abuse (5.7%) was less frequently reported. The probability of experiencing abuse varied with the duration of street exposure, with significant increases observed for those on the street for 3 weeks or more. Sleeping under verandas was associated with higher odds of economic abuse and any type of abuse. Longer street exposure did not further increase the odds of physical, economic or any abuse beyond 10 months.
Children and youth living on the streets experience high levels of abuse, underscoring the need for data-informed, trauma-informed approaches to support their reintegration. The findings highlight the importance of early intervention and tailored strategies that address the specific timing and types of abuse experienced by SICY. Policy and funding should focus on preventing street migration, providing alternative living locations and supporting long-term reintegration efforts to protect and empower SICY.
街头流浪儿童和青少年（SICY）面临着重大挑战，包括结构性和社会性排斥以及多种形式的虐待。全球估计表明，全世界有 1000 万至 1500 万 SICY，仅肯尼亚就有超过 25 万。对于这些虐待经历的发生时间知之甚少，这可能会影响干预措施的实施。
本研究分析了肯尼亚曾经的 SICY（6-19 岁）中街头暴露时间、睡眠地点与虐待经历之间的关系。数据来自 Watoto wa Ahadi 救援中心项目的参与者，收集时间为 6 年（2016-2022 年）。虐待经历分为身体虐待、情感虐待、经济虐待和性虐待。使用 Lowess 曲线图和分段对数回归分析了街头暴露时间、睡眠地点与报告的虐待经历之间的关系。
样本由 228 名独特的儿童组成，主要为男性，平均年龄为 13.2 岁。身体虐待（37%）、情感虐待（36%）、经济虐待（28%）和任何类型的虐待（69%）都很常见，而性虐待（5.7%）则较少报告。暴露于街头的时间与遭受虐待的可能性有关，暴露于街头 3 周或更长时间的人遭受虐待的可能性显著增加。睡在门廊下与经济虐待和任何类型的虐待的可能性更高相关。街头暴露时间超过 10 个月并不会进一步增加遭受身体、经济或任何类型虐待的可能性。
生活在街头的儿童和青少年遭受虐待的程度很高，这突显了需要采用数据驱动、以创伤为中心的方法来支持他们的重新融入社会。研究结果强调了早期干预和量身定制的策略的重要性，这些策略应针对 SICY 经历的特定时间和类型的虐待。政策和资金应集中于防止街头移民、提供替代生活地点和支持长期的重新融入社会努力，以保护和赋予 SICY 权力。
