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Dhawan A, Mishra AK, Chatterjee B, Bhatia G, Ambekar A, Agarwal A, Bhargava R, Chopra A. Characteristics Associated with Substance Use and Non-use Among Street Children in Delhi, India: A Community-based Cross-sectional Epidemiological Study. Indian J Psychol Med 2024; 46:46-54. [PMID: 38524947 PMCID: PMC10958074 DOI: 10.1177/02537176231199209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Street children are vulnerable to adverse health and risk behaviors and drug use. Substance use among street children has been well documented in several countries. This study reports sociodemographic and peer, family, and stress-related factors associated with substance use and non-use in a representative sample of street children of Delhi. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted through six NGOs working with street children, using Respondent Driven Sampling, in nine districts of Delhi (n = 766, 7-18 years). The multivariable model was developed by applying binary logistic regression analysis. Results The rate of substance use was 49%. Significant association was found between substance use in the past year and increasing age [Odds Ratio: OR (95% Confidence Interval)] [1.22(1.12,1.33)], male sex [4.34 (2.28,8.26)], lacking psychosocial support from family/relatives [3.27(1.84,5.80)], being engaged in earning from illegal sources, [3.04(1.75,5.29)], family use of substance [2.59(1.38,4.89)], presence of substance-using peers [29.86(14.38,62.01)], lack of non-drug-using peers [2.35(1.46,3.79)], and not possessing basic amenities [2.26(1.31,3.93)]. Conclusion Multiple modifiable factors exist within the family and peer group, including risk and protective factors or a consequence of substance use. Some challenges in the form of difficulty in reaching out to them and poor treatment seeking by those using substances warrant intensification in both primary and secondary prevention initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju Dhawan
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Ashwani Kumar Mishra
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Biswadip Chatterjee
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Gayatri Bhatia
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Atul Ambekar
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Alok Agarwal
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Rachna Bhargava
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Anita Chopra
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
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Armoon B, Griffiths MD, Mohammadi R, Ahounbar E. The global distribution and epidemiology of alcohol and drug use among street-involved children and youth: a meta-analysis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:381-398. [PMID: 37310881 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2201872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: Street-involved children and youth (SICY) who work and live on/of the streets are more likely to inject drugs and engage in psychoactive substance use.Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the prevalence, distribution, sociodemographic determinants, and risk-taking associated with alcohol and drug use among SICY.Methods: Studies published in English related to alcohol and drug use among SICY were searched for from December 1 1985 to July 1 2022, on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science.Results: After full-text paper evaluation, 73 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Results indicated that lifetime prevalence rates were 44% (alcohol), 44% (crack), 33% (inhalants), 44% (solvents), 16% (tranquilizer/sedatives), 22% (opioids), and 62% (polysubstance use). The current prevalence rates were 40% (alcohol), 21% (crack), 20% (inhalants), 11% (tranquilizer/sedatives), and 1% (opioids). Also, life-time and current prevalence of alcohol and crack use, current prevalence of tranquilizer/sedative use, and life-time prevalence of polysubstance use were higher among older age groups. Life-time prevalence of tranquilizer/sedative use was lower among older age groups.Conclusions: The high prevalence of using alcohol, crack, and inhalants is a major issue because they are used extensively among different age groups, including minors. Such findings are beneficial for policymakers, health authorities, and professionals in developing programs aimed at minimizing inhalant use and other types of substance use harms among this group. It is important to accurately monitor this risk-exposed population to understand the mechanisms that might help protect them from high-risk substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Elaheh Ahounbar
- Orygen, The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Center for Youth Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Armoon B, Griffiths MD, Mohammadi R. The Global Distribution and Epidemiology of Psychoactive Substance Use and Injection Drug Use Among Street-Involved Children and Youth: A Meta-Analysis. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 58:746-764. [PMID: 36924274 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2181036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Background: Globally, street-involved children and youth (SICY) who work and live on/of the streets are at higher risk of increased psychoactive substances and injecting drug use. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the prevalence, distribution, sociodemographic factors, and risk-taking behaviors associated with psychoactive substances and injecting drug use among SICY. Methods: Studies in English published from December 1 1985 to July 1 2022, were searched for on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science to identify primary studies on psychoactive substances and injecting drug use among SICY. The pooled-prevalence estimates were obtained using a robust fixed-effects model. Results: The most commonly reported life-time and current psychoactive substance was tobacco followed by cannabis, LSD/ecstasy, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and injection drug use. The results showed that life-time and current prevalence of methamphetamine and cannabis use, as well as life-time prevalence of cocaine, LSD/ecstasy, heroin, tobacco, and injecting drug use increased as age rose while current prevalence of cocaine and tobacco use decreased as age rose. SICY who were male, homeless, had parents who had died, had history of substance use among family members or best friends, had experienced violence, had casual sex partners, had a history of working in the sex trade, and had unprotected sex were all related to psychoactive substance use and injecting drug use. Conclusions: Research examining this population suffers from lack of studies, therefore, improving the knowledge for interventions aimed at reducing risk behaviors, particularly those related to the transmission of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV is of great importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahram Armoon
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran
| | - Mark D Griffiths
- International Gaming Research Unit, Psychology Department, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Rasool Mohammadi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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Asfaw Z, Mitiku M, Abebe HT, Atsbeha MT. A Community-Based Study of Level and Determinants of Substance Use: Findings from Children Experiencing Homelessness in Major Cities of Northern Ethiopia. Subst Abuse Rehabil 2022; 13:101-110. [DOI: 10.2147/sar.s381768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Pattojoshi A, Tikka SK. School-based substance use disorder prevention in India: A brief appraisal. Indian J Psychiatry 2020; 62:427-430. [PMID: 33165333 PMCID: PMC7597725 DOI: 10.4103/psychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_43_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use among Indian school children is a rising concern. Awareness across Indian schools and mental health professions regarding school-based prevention programs for substance use is limited. Describing the globally recommended evidence-based school-based prevention programs, this commentary highlights their need, availability, feasibility, and cultural relevance in Indian context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Pattojoshi
- Department of Psychiatry, Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sai Krishna Tikka
- Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
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Jones HE, Momand AS, Morales B, Browne T, Poliansky N, Ruiz D, Aranguren M, Sanchez S, Fratto V, O'Grady KE. The CHILD Intervention for Living Drug-free Comprehensive Assessment of Risk, Resilience, and Experience (CHILD CARRE) Measure: Initial Findings. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE 2019; 28:411-425. [PMID: 33603319 DOI: 10.1080/1067828x.2020.1766621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This paper summarizes the development and evaluation of an assessment instrument for children ages 7-12. The CHILD CARRE measure is a semi-structured interview with 7 domains. Children from the USA and Argentina (N=134) completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Substance use occurred at an average age of 8. Almost 33% of the children were taking medications for medical issues, more than 50% of them said that medical problem gets in the way of doing things they like to to do and almost 64% of the children stated that they would like to feel better. On average, children completed third grade in school, 56% of them knew how to read and 26% of the children started making money at age 8. Most children (74%) saw someone drunk or high and 23% of children reported alcohol or psychoactive substance use. Among these children using substances, such substance use occurred at an average age of 8, and in the past 30 days they used these substances an average for 5 days. The rating of level of risk on the part of the interviewer placed these children in the "risky" to "very risky" categories. Most children reported seeing their family members smoking (83%) or using alcohol (67%), and 49% reported seeing their family members high on drugs. Few children (10%) had conflicts with the law, while 46% of their family members had legal problems. Some children (30%) reported having serious problems getting along with family members, neighbors, or friends. These results suggest that this measure can serve as the first comprehensive measure to assess multiple life domains for young children at risk for or using psychoactive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrée E Jones
- UNC Horizons, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carrboro, NC USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, MD USA
| | - Abdul Ssubor Momand
- UNC Horizons, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Carrboro, NC USA
| | - Brian Morales
- Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC USA
| | - Thom Browne
- Colombo Plan Secretariat, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kevin E O'Grady
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD USA
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