Unveiling the shadows: investigating the substance use among street children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Street children are a global phenomenon affecting urban areas with varying degrees of severity. These vulnerable children face significant challenges, including the lack of basic rights, educational opportunities, and social integration. Substance use compounds their difficulties, often serving as a coping mechanism in their harsh environment. While existing research has predominantly focused on substance use among street children in Asia and Latin America, there is a notable gap in understanding within the African context, particularly in Nigeria. This study aims to address this gap by investigating substance usage patterns among street children in Nigeria. The objective is to inform the development of targeted interventions and policies to support street children better and address the underlying causes of substance use in their communities.METHODS: Accidental sampling was utilized to recruit 384 street children from nine Data Delineated Areas in three selected cities. Data collection involved the administration of interviewer-administered questionnaires, which gathered information on socio-economic characteristics, substance knowledge, and usage among street children. The collected data underwent analysis using frequency counts, chi-square tests, and binomial logistic regression.FINDINGS: The study found that the predominant substances used by street children were alcohol (60%), nicotine (40%), and cannabis (35%). Although addiction evidence was limited, the prevalence of multiple drug and substance use was notable. The binomial logistic regression results indicated that certain demographic and situational factors were associated with a decreased likelihood of drug use among street children. Specifically, children aged 4 to 10 years (90%, P = 0.000), females (80%, P = 0.000), school attendees (70%, P = 0.000), those spending fewer than 8 hours on the street (60%, P = 0.000), those sleeping at home (70%, P = 0.000), and those from relatively stable families (60%, P = 0.0001) were less likely to engage in drug use.CONCLUSION: The study underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach to address substance use among street children. By aligning urban and regional planning with general recommendations, policymakers can address the interconnected social, economic, physical planning, and educational factors contributing to substance use. Through targeted interventions and policies, stakeholders can provide effective support to street children and mitigate substance use within their communities, ultimately improving their well-being and prospects for the future.