Health Care Seeking Behaviour of Street Children in Rawalpindi

Abstract

Background: Street children experience substantial barriers to healthcare due to poverty, social exclusion, inadequate education, and unstable living conditions, making them highly vulnerable to poor health outcomes.

Objective: The objective of this research was to identify the health seeking behaviour of street children in Rawalpindi, focusing on the socio-economic challenges and informal healthcare practices that influence their access to medical care.

Methodology: This study used a phenomenological research design, in which qualitative methods (observations, recorded interviews) were used to examine the living and health conditions of 20 street children aged 10-19 and the data were analysed by means of Thematic Analysis.

Results: Findings revealed critical barriers to health care access, including low education levels, financial instability, and poor health care experiences. Additionally, nutritional deprivation and experiences of stigma within formal healthcare settings contribute to adverse health outcomes, with many children resorting to self-medication and informal healthcare Practices.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to include the quality of life of street children in Rawalpindi, addressing both their immediate health needs and broader economic factors that perpetuated their vulnerable status.

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