Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Street-connected children and youth (SCY) in Kenya disproportionately experience preventable morbidities and premature mortality. We theorize these health inequities are socially produced and result from systemic discrimination and a lack of human rights attainment. Therefore, we...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Equity in Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01255-8 |
| _version_ | 1818404615622754304 |
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| author | L. Embleton P. Shah A. Gayapersad R. Kiptui D. Ayuku P. Braitstein |
| author_facet | L. Embleton P. Shah A. Gayapersad R. Kiptui D. Ayuku P. Braitstein |
| author_sort | L. Embleton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Street-connected children and youth (SCY) in Kenya disproportionately experience preventable morbidities and premature mortality. We theorize these health inequities are socially produced and result from systemic discrimination and a lack of human rights attainment. Therefore, we sought to identify and understand how SCY’s social and health inequities in Kenya are produced, maintained, and shaped by structural and social determinants of health using the WHO conceptual framework on social determinants of health (SDH) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) General Comment no. 17. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from May 2017 to September 2018 using multiple methods including focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, archival review of newspaper articles, and analysis of a government policy document. We purposively sampled 100 participants including community leaders, government officials, vendors, police officers, general community residents, parents of SCY, and stakeholders in 5 counties across Kenya to participate in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. We conducted a thematic analysis situated in the conceptual framework on SDH and the CRC. Results Our findings indicate that SCY’s social and health disparities arise as a result of structural and social determinants stemming from a socioeconomic and political environment that produces systemic discrimination, breaches human rights, and influences their unequal socioeconomic position in society. These social determinants influence SCY’s intermediary determinants of health resulting in a lack of basic material needs, being precariously housed or homeless, engaging in substance use and misuse, and experiencing several psychosocial stressors, all of which shape health outcomes and equity for this population. Conclusions SCY in Kenya experience social and health inequities that are avoidable and unjust. These social and health disparities arise as a result of structural and social determinants of health inequities stemming from the socioeconomic and political context in Kenya that produces systemic discrimination and influences SCYs’ unequal socioeconomic position in society. Remedial action to reverse human rights contraventions and to advance health equity through action on SDH for SCY in Kenya is urgently needed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T08:42:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-998b2c343d9446158a6ca2320353ddc0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-9276 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T08:42:58Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-998b2c343d9446158a6ca2320353ddc02022-12-21T23:09:15ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762020-08-0119111810.1186/s12939-020-01255-8Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative studyL. Embleton0P. Shah1A. Gayapersad2R. Kiptui3D. Ayuku4P. Braitstein5Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences BuildingLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineDivision of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences BuildingAcademic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH)Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH)Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences BuildingAbstract Background Street-connected children and youth (SCY) in Kenya disproportionately experience preventable morbidities and premature mortality. We theorize these health inequities are socially produced and result from systemic discrimination and a lack of human rights attainment. Therefore, we sought to identify and understand how SCY’s social and health inequities in Kenya are produced, maintained, and shaped by structural and social determinants of health using the WHO conceptual framework on social determinants of health (SDH) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) General Comment no. 17. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from May 2017 to September 2018 using multiple methods including focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, archival review of newspaper articles, and analysis of a government policy document. We purposively sampled 100 participants including community leaders, government officials, vendors, police officers, general community residents, parents of SCY, and stakeholders in 5 counties across Kenya to participate in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. We conducted a thematic analysis situated in the conceptual framework on SDH and the CRC. Results Our findings indicate that SCY’s social and health disparities arise as a result of structural and social determinants stemming from a socioeconomic and political environment that produces systemic discrimination, breaches human rights, and influences their unequal socioeconomic position in society. These social determinants influence SCY’s intermediary determinants of health resulting in a lack of basic material needs, being precariously housed or homeless, engaging in substance use and misuse, and experiencing several psychosocial stressors, all of which shape health outcomes and equity for this population. Conclusions SCY in Kenya experience social and health inequities that are avoidable and unjust. These social and health disparities arise as a result of structural and social determinants of health inequities stemming from the socioeconomic and political context in Kenya that produces systemic discrimination and influences SCYs’ unequal socioeconomic position in society. Remedial action to reverse human rights contraventions and to advance health equity through action on SDH for SCY in Kenya is urgently needed.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01255-8Street childrenKenyaSocial determinants of healthHealth equityHuman rights |
| spellingShingle | L. Embleton P. Shah A. Gayapersad R. Kiptui D. Ayuku P. Braitstein Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study International Journal for Equity in Health Street children Kenya Social determinants of health Health equity Human rights |
| title | Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | characterizing street connected children and youths social and health inequities in kenya a qualitative study |
| topic | Street children Kenya Social determinants of health Health equity Human rights |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01255-8 |
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