A review on the health status of the street children: An exploratory study

Abstract

The health of the tens of millions of street children globally is understudied. We undertook a systematic review of the existing quantitative literature regarding the health status of street children to summarize available knowledge, identify underexplored areas of research, and inform the future research agenda regarding the health of this population. Demographic data and structural factors associated with street life are summarized. Although data in specific regions or diseases are sparse, the literature review illustrates that street children survival behaviors and the exposures associated with poor shelter have resulted in disproportionate morbidity in the areas of infectious illness, psychiatric disease, reproductive health, and perhaps to a lesser extent, growth. They are the future men and women who will try to fulfill the cherish goals of happy and rich life. Street children are not only homeless but also poor. Poverty dumps a crowd of problems onto a child. Without these skills the child will, as an adult, remain at the bottom of the economic cheap. Vast areas of health that may disproportionately affect street children in childhood have not been investigated, including chronic diseases and cognitive deficits. Studies of specific diseases or conditions vary considerably by region. Strengths and limitations of the literature are discussed and principles for future research in this area are proposed. Our literature review systematically documents areas of street child health that are understudied or not studied at all as well as the limitations of current research. Informed by our findings, our principles for further research can inform the future study of this vulnerable population.