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Psychiatric morbidity among street children in duhok
Nezar Ismet Taib1, Abdulbaghi Ahmad2
1Duhok Directorate General of Health, Kurdistan Region, Duhok, Iraq.
Insights
Economic hardship forces children onto the streets in Duhok, leading to significant mental health issues. This study reveals high rates of psychiatric disorders, particularly anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder, among these vulnerable youth.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rising numbers of street children globally due to economic pressures.
- Street children face heightened risks of physical and mental health problems.
- This study is the first to investigate psychopathology in street children in Duhok Governorate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the prevalence of psychopathology among street children in Duhok.
- To understand the contributing factors, such as family economic needs and parental literacy.
Main Methods:
- Study conducted in Duhok City from March 2004 to May 2005.
- 100 street children participated, with a 93% response rate.
- Data collected using modified family maps (genograms) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID).
Main Results:
- 98% of children worked due to family economic needs.
- High parental illiteracy rates (90% fathers, 95% mothers).
- 61% of children had at least one psychiatric disorder, with anxiety disorders (57%) and posttraumatic stress disorders (29%) being most common.
Conclusions:
- Street children in Duhok primarily work to meet family economic needs.
- Significant psychiatric morbidity exists within this population.
- The findings highlight the urgent need for support services for street children and their families.
Background:
Due, in part, to family constraints in dealing with the economical burden of raising a family, a wave of street children is sweeping the developing world. Such children are prone to both somatic and mental illnesses. This is the first ever study that has been conducted to explore the psychopathology among street children in the Duhok Governorate.
Methods:
The study was conducted between March 2004 and May 2005 in Duhok City among street children who attended the Zewa Center-the only center for street children in the region at the time of the study. Among a total of 107 eligible children, 100 agreed to participate (93% response rate). A modified family map (genogram) was used to obtain demographic data from the children and their caregivers through semi-structured interviews. In addition, the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) structured interviews were conducted with the children.
Results:
The study found that 98% of children worked on the street because of the economic need and pressure on their families. There was high rate of parental illiteracy (90% of fathers and 95% of mothers), and 61% of respondents were shown to have at least one psychiatric disorder. A high percentage (57%) of these children suffered from anxiety disorders including posttraumatic stress disorders (29%). Ten percent had depression, and 5% had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Conclusion:
Street children in Duhok seem to be working children due to their families' needs.
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