Socio-demographic Profile of Pattern of Solvent Abuse among Street Children in Bengaluru Mohan MC Murali1, Yadukul S2,*, Satish KV3 1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar 2Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar 3Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru *Corresponding author: Dr. Yadukul S Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Chamarajanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Chamarajanagar, (+91 9986510681) Email: yadukul.mysuru@gmail.com
Online published on 5 May, 2018. Abstract Background Solvent use among children and adolescents is a major concern across the world. Solvents are easily available, convenient to use, relatively inexpensive, and legal for certain uses; and all these factors promote their use and also abuse at later stages in youngsters. Objectives To study the socio-demographic pattern of solvent abuse To describe the patterns and consequences of solvent abuse. To design a better preventive and rehabilitative approach to help these children.
Methodology The present observational study was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, Bengaluru during the study period of 2 years from 1st Aug 2010 till 31st Aug 2012. The study was done on the street children, who stay in the areas of Railway Station, Kalasipalya and Shivajinagar of Bangalore City; who were interviewed based on a predesigned proforma relating to solvent abuse and the data were analyzed. Totally 200 street children with history of solvent abuse were enrolled into the study. Results In the present study, Solvent abuse was common among male children in the age group of 13-15yrs. Majority of the children were coolie by occupation, started working by the age of 10 years& most of them took shelter on foot path. Tobacco was the most common other substance of abuse followed by Gutka, Alcohol & Ganja. Conclusion This study has identified key issues requiring urgent public health action. The widespread use of solvents is particularly concerning due to easy, cheap availability and unrestricted sales to minors, as well as detrimental health effects of the same should be a major concern for law and policy makers. It is likely that the use of solvents could impact upon the ability of street children to be integrated into society and resume a normal social life. Top Keywords Solvent, Abuse, Streetchildren, Bengaluru. Top |