Substance abuse among homeless children is a critical and very important issue. This study
Aimed to evaluate the effect of primary preventive program of substance abuse among homeless children in
Egypt. Design: A quasi experimental design was used. Setting: This study was conducted at two shelters at
Cairo Governorate in Egypt. Sample: A convenient sample was used for selection of 57street children.
Data were collected through two main Tools: I-A structured interviewing questionnaire to determine
homeless children' general characteristics, knowledge regarding substance abuse and its prevention and
practices of children regarding precaution to avoid substance abuse. II- Likert scale to assess children'
attitude toward substance abuse. Results: The current study results revealed that, 77.2% of studied children
were male, 52.6% aged from 7 to < 11 years old, 42.0% of them being in a street resulting of family
problems, only 17.5% of them had good total knowledge regarding substance abuse,48.8% had negative
total attitude and 71% had unsatisfied total practices score preprogram. While, after the program
implementation the 52.6% of them had good total knowledge score, 61.4% had positive total attitude and
84.2% of them had satisfied total practices score after the program implementation. Conclusion: This
study concluded that there were a significant improvement in homeless children' knowledge, attitude and
their practices regarding prevention of substance abuse. Recommendation: Continuous preventive
programs for homeless children, focusing on primary prevention of substance abuse facts as its' harmful
effects, avoid imitate others in taking drugs, perform healthy daily living activities as exercises, eating and
managing stress. |
