Access to health and rights of children in street situations and working children: a scoping review

Jörgensen, Eva; Napier-Raman, Sharanya; Macleod, Shona; Seth, Rajeev; Goodman, Michael; Howard, Neil; Einarsdóttir, Jónína; Banerjee, Meghendra; Raman, Shanti

Abstract

Background: Street and working children (SWC) and young people (YP) are highly vulnerable to violence, exploitation, hazardous environments and human rights violations. While the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the International Labour Organisation provide some guidance, there is limited information on their right to healthcare. This study aims to identify enablers and barriers to healthcare access for SWC and document associated rights violations. Methods: From 2000 to the present, we conducted systematic searches for SWC (0–18 years) in databases including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EBSCO, PUBMED and PROQUEST, using broad search terms related to street children, working children, healthcare access and rights. The searches were supplemented by grey literature and hand searches. Two independent reviewers finalised the included studies, and data were analysed using a rights-based framework with narrative analysis and thematisation. Results: The initial search yielded 7346 articles (5972 for street children and 1374 for working children), with 35 studies (18 for street children and 17 for working children) included in the review. Most studies on working children (13/17) focused on trafficking/commercial exploitation. Studies were predominantly from Africa, followed by the USA, Asia, the UK and Canada, with only two employing a rights framework. SWC face barriers such as cost, distance, visibility/accessibility of services, stigma, seclusion, threats of violence, lack of legal documents, crisis-oriented healthcare use and self-medication. Enablers included agency, self-efficacy, positive relationships with adults and proactive healthcare use when accessible. Emergency departments are frequently accessed by SWC, indicating a need for healthcare professionals to be trained and sensitised. Holistic and comprehensive healthcare is essential. Conclusion: Significant research gaps exist, with many SWC populations under-represented. SWC share healthcare access barriers with other marginalised groups. Healthcare for SWC must be tailored to their unique needs and strengths and be holistic and trauma-informed.

Citation

Jörgensen, E., Napier-Raman, S., Macleod, S., Seth, R., Goodman, M., Howard, N., Einarsdóttir, J., Banerjee, M., & Raman, S. (2024). Access to health and rights of children in street situations and working children: a scoping review. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 8(1), Article e002870. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002870

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 6, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 8, 2024
• Publication Date: Oct 8, 2024
• Deposit Date: Nov 18, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 19, 2024
• Journal: BMJ Paediatrics Open
• Electronic ISSN: 2399-9772
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e002870
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2024-002870
• Keywords: health policy, child health, adolescent health
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/40590641
• Publisher URL: https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/8/1/e002870