Prevalence and associated risk factors of substance abuse by street kids in kitwe city centre

Bwiini Jalata

Abstract

Drug abuse has become a global phenomenon affecting almost every country though the extent and characteristics vary depending on the country in question. The most commonly used and abused substances are inhalants, cigarettes, alcohol and others. This abuse is believed to be associated with increasing amounts consumed, frequency of use and groups involved. Thus, a rapid assessment of children living on the streets of Kitwe, particularly the town centre was conducted in September 2019 by the informant with approval from the Ministry of Youths, Sports and Child Development under the auspices of a non-governmental organization called Friends of The Street Children (FOSC). The study sought to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of substance abuse among the kids in Kitwe town centre.