Patterns of Substance Use Among Street-Involved Children and Youth in Kenya: the Roles of Street-Exposure, Migratory Factors, Family Deprivation, and Geographic Sub-location
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Substance use is prevalent among street-involved children and youth (SICY). Years on the street, abuse, and peer relations predict substance and inhalant use in Kenya.
Area Of Science
- Public Health
- Substance Use Research
- Child and Adolescent Studies
Background
- Substance use is a significant issue among street-involved children and youth (SICY), particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
- Understanding the determinants of substance use is crucial for developing effective interventions and reintegration programs.
Purpose Of The Study
- To identify individual, family, and geographic characteristics predicting substance use among SICY in Meru County, Kenya.
- To specifically examine predictors of inhalant and non-inhalant substance use.
Main Methods
- Analysis of program intake data from 2016-2022 for 227 SICY in Meru County, Kenya.
- Assessment of determinants including age, geographic location, duration on the street, family deprivation, migration reasons, and street experiences.
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between characteristics and substance use patterns.
Main Results
- Extended time on the street, experiencing abuse, and peer-related migration reasons were significantly associated with higher odds of substance use, especially inhalant use.
- Inhalant use was also linked to peer socialization and specific street activities.
- Several factors were identified as significant predictors of substance use among this vulnerable population.
Conclusions
- Peer-self dynamics and street experiences play a critical role in substance use among SICY.
- Findings can inform targeted interventions for reintegrating SICY and supporting their long-term development.
- Further research into peer influences is recommended for effective support strategies.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Contact us if these videos are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not...
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Schizophrenia, a complex psychiatric disorder, has been historically misunderstood. Early psychological theories attributed its origins to childhood trauma and unresponsive parenting. However, contemporary research largely rejects these notions, favoring the vulnerability-stress hypothesis. This model proposes that individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia may develop the disorder following exposure to significant environmental stressors. Notably, studies on high-risk...