PSYCHOSOCIAL CORRELATES OF STREET CHILDREN IN KENEMA, EASTERN SIERRA LEONE: A DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY

Abstract

Street children are found in many cities around the world but most especially in regions with high rates of poverty and turmoil. Sierra Leone experienced an eleven-year-old civil war during which several children were separated from their parents and relatives. Eastern Sierra Leone where the war started was most severely hit in terms of destruction and breakdown of community life. Kenema, the major city in Eastern Sierra Leone and the third-largest city in the country is reported to have a large number of street children. Despite this, the psychological and social correlates of street children in Kenema have never been reported. Therefore this study aimed to determine the psychosocial correlates of street children in Kenema using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. A multi-stage cluster sampling of five market areas, five motor parks and two garages identified as densely populated areas where street children aggregate during the day and night was carried out. A total of 400 ‘street children’ aged 5 to 19 years were interviewed utilizing the modified Global School Health questionnaire.

There were more boys (70.1%) than girls on the street and approximately, a quarter of children were living permanently on the street. Poverty was the main reason given for children staying on the street. Other reasons include family problems, a need for freedom and civil disturbances. The Government in collaboration with a non-governmental organization (NGOs) and other child care institutions should rehabilitate these children and initiate education and vocational training programmes to enable them to enjoy a better future.