Perceived Susceptibility and Responses to Ill-health Risks among Children of the Street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study identifies perceptions about susceptibility and responses to health risks among children of the street in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews from 22 purposely selected street children. In addition to the field notes, audio was recorded, transcribed and translated into English. After coding the responses, themes and sub-themes were identified, followed by interpretations of responses. The findings showed that children of the street perceive to be highly susceptible for health risks such as HIV/AIDS, skin diseases, malaria, accidental injuries, lung cancer, and ‘Corella’. Whereas most of the health risks have been associated generally with the living situations of the children, engagement in risky behaviors such as unsafe sexual practices, addictions to drugs and other harmful substances, and sharing of sharp materials have also been reported to increase their vulnerability. The extent to which they perceive to be susceptible, the type of disease and its perceived cause were found to influence the preventive health behavior of the street children. The high risk perception among street children opened the way for individual and collective efforts of maintaining health and wellbeing which in turn facilitates interventions aimed at reintegrating street children into the society.