Health of street children in Cape Town, May-November 1989
type: CreativeWork
description: This cross-sectional study looks at the health profiles of street children both in institutions and on the street between May and November 1989. The former group had a clinical examination, with blood and urine investigations done where possible; the latter group were only interviewed. 159 street children were interviewed of whom 47 were interviewed on the street. 73 children had clinical examinations; 64 of these had blood and urine investigations. The age range was 8 years to 19.8 years. 18.2% were females and 28.3% were black. 59,6% of those interviewed on the street had not been in an institution or shelter for street children. 27, 2% of the total group had been on the street for more 3 years. 3 7, 1 % perceived colds and chest complaints as their main physical health problem. This was confirmed by the fact that 69,2% had a history of respiratory problems. 44,7% said that they would go to a hospital if they injured themselves or were ill; however, 36,5% said they would not use or get any medication for problems such as a headache or a bad cold. 37·, 7% of children used a hospital while they were on street but 59, 7% had not used any facility while on the street. Most street children (72,8%) washed themselves at least occasionally and 61% washed their clothes. 47,2% had suffered trauma significant enough to seek hospital attention. 56% had skin problems (including lice and scabies) while on the street. 15,7% complained of visual problems and 10,7% complained of reduced hearing. Dental problems appeared to be of major concern with 37,7% complaining of either toothache or dental caries (23,3% had obvious caries on examination). 73,4% admitted to solvent abuse, 49,9% had never taken alcohol and 12,7% had never smoked. 43% had tried dagga, 10,8% white pipe (mixture of dagga and "Mandrax" which is smoked) and only 7,6% "Mandrax" alone. 10, 9% of boys and 10, 0% of girls indicated that they had been sexually exploited. Of the 67 examined 32,8% were below 90% of expecte…
abstract: This cross-sectional study looks at the health profiles of street children both in institutions and on the street between May and November 1989. The former group had a clinical examination, with blood and urine investigations done where possible; the latter group were only interviewed. 159 street children were interviewed of whom 47 were interviewed on the street. 73 children had clinical examinations; 64 of these had blood and urine investigations. The age range was 8 years to 19.8 years. 18.2% were females and 28.3% were black. 59,6% of those interviewed on the street had not been in an institution or shelter for street children. 27, 2% of the total group had been on the street for more 3 years. 3 7, 1 % perceived colds and chest complaints as their main physical health problem. This was confirmed by the fact that 69,2% had a history of respiratory problems. 44,7% said that they would go to a hospital if they injured themselves or were ill; however, 36,5% said they would not use or get any medication for problems such as a headache or a bad cold. 37·, 7% of children used a hospital while they were on street but 59, 7% had not used any facility while on the street. Most street children (72,8%) washed themselves at least occasionally and 61% washed their clothes. 47,2% had suffered trauma significant enough to seek hospital attention. 56% had skin problems (including lice and scabies) while on the street. 15,7% complained of visual problems and 10,7% complained of reduced hearing. Dental problems appeared to be of major concern with 37,7% complaining of either toothache or dental caries (23,3% had obvious caries on examination). 73,4% admitted to solvent abuse, 49,9% had never taken alcohol and 12,7% had never smoked. 43% had tried dagga, 10,8% white pipe (mixture of dagga and "Mandrax" which is smoked) and only 7,6% "Mandrax" alone. 10, 9% of boys and 10, 0% of girls indicated that they had been sexually exploited. Of the 67 examined 32,8% were below 90% of expecte…
author: Gebers, Paul Eric
language: eng
date published: 1990
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:23:34Z
provider: University of Cape Town
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/27188