A Study on Emotional and Behavioural Problems of Street Children in Rehabilitation Centers of Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Background: Most of the street children are vulnerable to develop emotional and behavioural problems due to deprived family environment, love and affection. There is no exact national figure available in Nepal on the emotional and behavioural problems among street children. Most of the projects offer assistance to street children in rehabilitation centers for the welfare of their lives but they don't seem to be concerned about their emotional and behavioural problems and its consequences. This study therefore was carried out to measure the prevalence rate of emotional and behavioural problems as well as contributing factors of these problems among the street children. Methods: A descriptive and explorative design was used for this research. A total of 50 children above 8 years of age in rehabilitation centers of Kathmandu valley were included using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The child behaviour checklist 118 item scale was used for interview. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to find the contributing factors. The collected data was analyzed and interpreted by using different table, graphs and charts. Results: The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among the street children was 40%. Boys were more often having problems than girls (1.6:1.0). Similarly the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems was higher in aged 11-13 years. The majority of case was anxiously depressed (25%), attention problem (20%), social problems (15%), somatic, aggressive and delinquent behaviour (10%). The prevalence was higher in rural and poor family based than urban and wealthy family background. The problems was associated with maltreatment by step parents at home (60%), weak personality traits such as felt neglected by other (80%) and by family members (56%). Family relationship was not so good of 50% cases. Most of the cases various difficulties in street like food (80%), sleeping (75%), clothing (60%) etc. 80% of the cases had history of physical assault and 90% of cases used substance alcohol and drugs. 55% of the cases had not shared the problems with others. Conclusions: Emotional and behavioural problems of street children in Nepal are more common than those reported in western literature. Keywords: behavioural; emotional; prevalence; problems; rehabilitation centers; street children.