A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE LIVES OF STREET CHILDREN IN CAMEROON.

Abstract

……………………………………………………………… Background: The existing estimates by UNICEF suggest that there are tens of millions of street- children facing social, economic, physical and health challenges around the world, and Cameroon has a large number of children living on the streets in its urban cities. They are at risk of poor health, get involved in drugs, prostitution, gangs, and commit crimes. Cameroon does not have any intervention programme to address the phenomenon of street children. Aim: The study aimed to explore the lives of street children in Cameroon. Methods: Data was collected using qualitative methods during 2015 in the cities of Bamenda. The participants were street children and key informants working with street children. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee Durban and CAMBIN Ethics Cameroon. Data was collected by administering structured questionnaires which were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 14. Results: Street children are children searching for love and better opportunities for themselves and family in some cases. These children are forced to run away from home because they are unhappy at home for one reason or the other. While on the streets they are faced with numerous challenges.