title: The female street children of Rio de Janeiro: a qualitative study of their backgrounds.
abstract: A study of female street children using qualitative methodology revealed a family background of poverty, neglect, and violence as key factors in girls taking to the streets. Lack of any form of services, either social or medical, which could provide a safety net around dysfunctioning families was striking. The role of Maternal and Child Health Services in addressing the problem of street children is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Escola Sao Francisco de Assis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Ebrahim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth; D006801:Humans; D011203:Poverty; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014754:Violence