Objective: The phenomenon of street children in Egypt constitutes a public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of institutionalised street children in Alexandria, to compare the prevalence of substance abuse and conduct disorder between street children and school children, and to identify predictors of these mental health outcomes among street children. Methods: Institutionalised street children (n = 102) participated in a cross-sectional comparative study with a matched group of school children (n = 156). An interviewing questionnaire was used to assess demographic characteristics and substance use. Conduct disorder was measured using the Revised Ontario Child Health study scale. Results: Poverty, family breakdown, and domestic violence were the main reasons for street children having left home. Street children recorded significantly higher rates of substance use (9.8%) and conduct disorder (35.3%) compared to school children. In street children, smoking was a significant predictor of substance use and conduct disorder. Other predictors of conduct disorder included physical illness and having 5 to 7 siblings. Conclusion: Substance abuse and conduct disorder were present among institutionalised street children at higher rates than school children. Absence of basic life needs and disrupted families constituted the main reasons for leaving home. Interventions at the governmental and non-governmental levels are needed.

中文翻译：

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埃及亚历山大的流落街头流浪儿童的社会心理状况：与学龄儿童的比较研究

目的：埃及流浪儿童现象构成公共卫生问题。这项研究旨在调查亚历山大流离失所的流落街头儿童的特征，比较流浪儿童和学龄儿童的药物滥用和行为障碍的患病率，并确定流浪儿童中这些心理健康结果的预测因素。方法：入院的流浪儿童（n = 102）与配对的学龄儿童（n = 156）一起参加了横断面比较研究。采访问卷被用来评估人口统计学特征和物质使用情况。使用修订的安大略省儿童健康研究量表对行为障碍进行了测量。结果：贫困，家庭破裂和家庭暴力是流浪儿童离开家园的主要原因。与学龄儿童相比，流浪儿童的物质使用率（9.8％）和品行障碍（35.3％）明显更高。在流浪儿童中，吸烟是物质使用和行为障碍的重要预测指标。行为障碍的其他预测因素包括身体疾病和5至7个兄弟姐妹。结论：在流离失所的流浪儿童中，物质滥用和行为障碍的发生率高于学龄儿童。缺乏基本生活需求和家庭破裂是离开家园的主要原因。需要在政府和非政府一级进行干预。行为障碍的其他预测因素包括身体疾病和5至7个兄弟姐妹。结论：在流离失所的流浪儿童中，物质滥用和行为障碍的发生率高于学龄儿童。缺乏基本生活需求和家庭破裂是离开家园的主要原因。需要在政府和非政府一级进行干预。行为障碍的其他预测因素包括身体疾病和5至7个兄弟姐妹。结论：在流离失所的流浪儿童中，物质滥用和行为障碍的发生率高于学龄儿童。缺乏基本生活需求和家庭破裂是离开家园的主要原因。需要在政府和非政府一级进行干预。