Sociodemographic characteristics of street children in Alexandria.
The sociodemographic characteristics of street children in the Egyptian city of Alexandria were studied. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed. Difficulties in random sampling of street children meant that a non-random purposive sampling strategy was used. The final sample consisted of 100 street children (all boys) who were interviewed and medically examined. The study confirmed the findings of other studies that street children come from problematic family backgrounds. They are disproportionately victims of family breakdown, sexual and physical abuse. They suffer from increased health problems, malnutrition and lack of educational opportunities. Recommendations are made for programmes to address the challenging needs of street children in Alexandria.
Salem
E M
EM
Institute of Graduate Studies, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
Abd el-Latif
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004534:Egypt; D004782:Environmental Health; D005190:Family; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D009042:Motivation; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*