Sexual Behavior of Street Children
INTRODUCTION:
Street
children and youth are at risk of getting engaged in different behaviors
including risky sexual behavior, which adversely affects their development and
health. The aim of this study was to examine sexual behavior of street children
and youth, and the risks and consequences associated with sexual behavior.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
A
pilot study was conducted on a sample of 50 users of the Drop-in Centre for
Street Children in Novi Sad, from 10 to 19 years of age. The study was
conducted by a psychologist through structured interviews, with prior consent
of the adolescent and parent.
RESULTS:
Among the
respondents who were sexually active, 41.2% had had the first sexual
intercourse by the age of 12, their median age at that time being 14 years,
while the age at the time of the first sexual intercourse is 16 years in the
general population of Serbia. The majority of sexually active adolescents had
several partners, one male adolescent had sex with a person of the same sex,
and one was paid for sex. Very few respondents used a condom. Among 15 male
sexually active respondents, three (ages 11, 12 and 14) were forced to have
unwanted sexual intercourse, and a quarter of adolescents (three boys and one
girl) were forced to do something unwanted during sex.
CONCLUSION:
Despite
a small and unrepresentative sample, the results of this study indicate serious
problems and significant risks associated with sexual behavior of children and
young people who live and work in streets. This pilot study suggests that it is
necessary to conduct new research on sexual behavior of street children and
youth on a representative sample and with appropriate methodology. The results
of a new study should be used to plan and carry out appropriate preventive
measures regarding sexual behavior of street children.
No comments:
Post a Comment