solvent-abuse-pakistan

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A total number of 416 children with equal distribution from all four cities i.e., Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta participated in the study. Respondents were predominantly males, with only 07 girls (1.7%) included in the sample. The mean age of children using solvents was 14.3 ± 2.52 years, with the children in Peshawar slightly younger (13.0 ± 2.33 yrs) than the children found in other cities. The maximum proportions of children were between 15 to 16 years of age. The largest proportions of children interviewed were Pakistani (81%), more than half of whom had migrated from smaller cities. 12.5% of the total children were Afghani followed by Bengalis (5.8%). One third of the children interviewed belonged to single parent families with large family size. Almost three quarters of the children were not currently living along with their families. These children prefer staying in groups, had no permanent place to live, had been sleeping in parks (50%), friends place(12%) and darbars (6.7%) etc. Seventy Six percent (76%) of the children never attended formal education. The remaining 24% had 3.01 ± 1.97 years of educational attainment. The average daily income reported was Rs. 79.7 ± 44.7, which was sourced through cleaning cars, scavenging solid waste garbage and begging. Fifty five percent (55%) of the children complained of at least one medical problem that they were currently facing . The major problem reported were Respiratory tract infection; RTI's (30%), followed by Fever (19.7%), GIT upsets (18.7%) and skin infections (12.6%). Adhesive glues was the primary drug of choice consumed by 374 (90%) of the interviewed street children. Other solvents abused include petrol (25.5%) and thinners (10.6%). Use of Petrol was significantly popular in Quetta (43%) and Peshawar (41%). In Karachi children were found to be involved with glue (95.2%), Thinners (27.6%), Petrol (13.3%), as well as Tincture(5.7%). An average amount of Rs. 39.7 ± 30.1 is being spent on these solvents with minimal geographical variations. A little more than 60% of the children reported regular use of these substances for more than 2 years through various techniques. On Average they inhale almost 80 gm. Ninety Five percent (95%) of the children stated that solvents are easily available from the local market. More than half of the times money is pooled in by various children and thereafter procurement is used in a group. Relief of tension, euphoria and drowsiness are the major effects reported to
e felt on use of the solvent drugs. In contrary, upon non-availability the feeling of anger, agitation, restlessness, irritability, and generalized aches were the major problems reported. The major factors leading a child into the use of solvents were friends and peer pressure, reported by more than half of the children interviewed. Only 20% of the children had undergone any sort of treatment for drug abuse problem. More than two third of the children were unaware of any organization or facility where they could be detoxified and rehabilitated. Information regarding use of other drugs was also gathered. Hashish was found to be the most prevalent among the group as 62.5% children reported regular use during the past 30 days. Other drugs used during the past 30 days were Bhang (4%), Opium (3.6%) and Synthetic drugs (5.3%). Only one child conveyed use of heroin, while there was no injection drug use reported. 53.8% of the children had heard about HIV/AIDS. Among these, 62.5% knew that it is spread through sexual intercourse, while 19% knew that it can be transmitted by syringes contaminated with the virus. However, information regarding its prevention was inadequate, as 44.6% stated that sexual intercourse should be avoided altogether to protect oneself from HIV. 28% of the children thought that HIV can be avoided by using various medicines. A high HIV risk situation was noted, when sexual practices of these children were evaluated. The average age at the initiation of sexual activity was reported to be 10.6 ± 2.2 years, with a high number of sexual partners both males and females was found. Only 20% informed of using a condom, while the remaining 80% of the children reported never using a condom. One quarter of the children reported exchanging sex for money. Information gathered from the key informant interviews, documented a very unsatisfactory knowledge and awareness of issues related to street children, and more importantly the understanding of solvent abuse among this extremely high-risk group. An overall lack of clarity was observed regarding detoxification of solvent abuse in the existing drug treatment facilities was noted, compounded by absolutely no rehabilitation program for these children. The report is structured in four major sections. Section 01 presents background and introduction of street children, as well as basic conceptual information on solvent abuse and the burden of the disease. Section 02 gives the aims and objectives of the study as well as a description of the research methodologies adopted. It provides information on subject selection, sampling procedure, data collection procedure and data analysis Section 03 reports the results of the study and is further distributed into 6 major subdivisions. Sub-Section 1 provides information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the children. Sub-Section 2 describes the group dynamics and current living arrangements of these children. Sub-Section 3 is related to information on drugs other than Solvents, HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviours. Sub-Section 4 provides description regarding prevalence and related information on solvent abuse. The last subsection of this part provides information on the various drug treatment facilities, exists in the country. Section 04 provides recommendations and proposes various strategies to address the issues.
Page 1 and 2: This publication is available from:
Page 3 and 4: This research study would not have
Page 5: 3.2 Living Conditions & group dynam
Page 9 and 10: BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION Section o
Page 11 and 12: Section one 1.2 Solvent Abuse Defin
Page 13 and 14: RESEARCH & METHODOLOGIES Section tw
Page 15 and 16: Section three involved in providing
Page 17 and 18: Section three from where these chil
Page 19 and 20: Section three Results show that a l
Page 21 and 22: 3.4.3 Effects of Solvent abuse Rese
Page 23 and 24: Section three 3.4.6 Treatment When
Page 25 and 26: Section three 3.6 Magnitude of the
Page 27 and 28: Section four 36 treatment methodolo
Page 29 and 30: REFRENCES Section four Formative o

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