Risk factors of substance use among street children from Delhi
Pagare, D.; Meena, G.S.; Singh, M.M.; Sahu, R.
Indian Pediatrics 41(3): 221-225
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-6061 PMID: 15064508 Document Number: 234249
This study was conducted to estimate the magnitude of and sociodemographic factors related to substance abuse among street children in Delhi, India. A total of 115 male street children aged 6 to 16 years were interviewed at the time of their admission to an observation home (between February and June 2002). More than half (57.4%) of the subjects had indulged in substance abuse before coming to the observation home. The agents consumed were nicotine (44.5%), inhalants (24.3%), alcohol (21.8%), and cannabis (26.4%). Using multiple logistic regression analysis, child maltreatment by family members was found as a significant predictor of substance abuse in the study group. It is concluded that substance abuse in street children is associated with unstable homes and maltreatment.