Unveiling the hidden health challenges: malaria, helminths, STIs and other pathologies among street children, adolescents and young adults in Cameroon.

Abstract

Background: The phenomenon of street children, adolescents and young adults (SCAYA) is a growing global challenge. In Africa, >10 million children reside in the streets, driven by poverty, abuse and family instability. In Cameroon, this phenomenon is particularly evident in major cities. Being on the street exposes SCAYA to unsanitary living conditions, sexual exploitation, drugs and health challenges. Despite significant health challenges faced by SCAYA, there are few studies on their health status.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March to July 2022. A total of 147 male street children, adolescents and young adults were enrolled through convenience sampling and voluntary consent. Data collection included semi-structured questionnaires, medical examinations and the collection of blood and stool samples for screening infectious diseases. Fisher's exact test and binomial logistic regression were used to assess associations between participant characteristics and health conditions, including malaria, helminth infections, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Results: Our results revealed a prevalence of malaria parasitaemia of 34.3% (47/137) among mostly asymptomatic participants. Helminth infections accounted 10.9% (16/147), HIV 3.6% (5/138) and HBV 8.7% (12/138). Other pathologies noted were scabies, ringworms, rhinobronchitis, oral infections, wounds and fractures. The logistic regression analysis did not show any statistically significant association between the presence of infectious diseases and the sociodemographic characteristics of SCAYA.

Conclusion: Our study is one of the first to shed light on the health status and prevalence of infectious diseases among SCAYA in Cameroon. The absence of significant associations with participant characteristics suggests multifactorial influences on the health of these individuals. Targeted healthcare and social interventions are essential to address SCAYA vulnerabilities and improve health outcomes.