Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers
IntroductionScabies is a neglected tropical disease that affects the physical, socioeconomic, and psychological wellbeing of patients. Street children, due to poor living conditions and social marginalization, are at increased risk of infestation and face significant barriers to access healthcare se...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1529012/full |
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| author | Bewunetu Zewude Desta Ayode Gail Davey Gail Davey Shahaduz Zaman Getnet Tadele |
| author_facet | Bewunetu Zewude Desta Ayode Gail Davey Gail Davey Shahaduz Zaman Getnet Tadele |
| author_sort | Bewunetu Zewude |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionScabies is a neglected tropical disease that affects the physical, socioeconomic, and psychological wellbeing of patients. Street children, due to poor living conditions and social marginalization, are at increased risk of infestation and face significant barriers to access healthcare services. Various interventions to control scabies have been suggested and implemented, but few have been based on the needs and viewpoints of the street children themselves. Drawing on the theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA), this article explores the interventions that street children, parents, and other key informants perceived to be appropriate to control scabies among street children.MethodsAn ethnographic approach was adopted to collect qualitative data from purposively selected street children, parents/caregivers, and key informants representing NGOs and the health and social sectors in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, and Adama. Rich data were gathered using FGDs, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and drawing exercises, enhancing children's engagement in the study. Interviews were conducted in participants' preferred languages, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English for analysis. Data were coded by the two researchers who had collected them, and themes and sub-themes were identified.ResultsLiving in overcrowded conditions, lack of access to sanitation materials and health services were among the priority needs and lived experiences of the street children. Providing peer-led health education, educating and mobilizing existing healthcare providers, preventing child streetism, raising the awareness of the community children migrate from, and providing sanitation facilities were among the proposed interventions that were considered appropriate to control scabies among street children.ConclusionCollaborative and participatory interventions that align with the lived experiences of street children and other stakeholders are likely to increase participation and enhance the feasibility and impact of scabies control and elimination efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-440b32c9e9d14e09a061e03e82f4d4b2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-440b32c9e9d14e09a061e03e82f4d4b22025-08-20T02:08:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-04-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15290121529012Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverersBewunetu Zewude0Desta Ayode1Gail Davey2Gail Davey3Shahaduz Zaman4Getnet Tadele5Department of Sociology, College of Social Science and Humanities, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, EthiopiaDepartment of Sociology, College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCentre for Global Health Research, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United KingdomSchool of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCentre for Global Health Research, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United KingdomDepartment of Sociology, College of Social Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaIntroductionScabies is a neglected tropical disease that affects the physical, socioeconomic, and psychological wellbeing of patients. Street children, due to poor living conditions and social marginalization, are at increased risk of infestation and face significant barriers to access healthcare services. Various interventions to control scabies have been suggested and implemented, but few have been based on the needs and viewpoints of the street children themselves. Drawing on the theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA), this article explores the interventions that street children, parents, and other key informants perceived to be appropriate to control scabies among street children.MethodsAn ethnographic approach was adopted to collect qualitative data from purposively selected street children, parents/caregivers, and key informants representing NGOs and the health and social sectors in Addis Ababa, Hawassa, and Adama. Rich data were gathered using FGDs, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and drawing exercises, enhancing children's engagement in the study. Interviews were conducted in participants' preferred languages, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English for analysis. Data were coded by the two researchers who had collected them, and themes and sub-themes were identified.ResultsLiving in overcrowded conditions, lack of access to sanitation materials and health services were among the priority needs and lived experiences of the street children. Providing peer-led health education, educating and mobilizing existing healthcare providers, preventing child streetism, raising the awareness of the community children migrate from, and providing sanitation facilities were among the proposed interventions that were considered appropriate to control scabies among street children.ConclusionCollaborative and participatory interventions that align with the lived experiences of street children and other stakeholders are likely to increase participation and enhance the feasibility and impact of scabies control and elimination efforts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1529012/fullacceptabilityinterventionsscabiesstreet childrenEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Bewunetu Zewude Desta Ayode Gail Davey Gail Davey Shahaduz Zaman Getnet Tadele Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers Frontiers in Public Health acceptability interventions scabies street children Ethiopia |
| title | Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers |
| title_full | Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers |
| title_fullStr | Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers |
| title_short | Addressing scabies among street children in Ethiopia: an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers |
| title_sort | addressing scabies among street children in ethiopia an ethnographic study of acceptable interventions by prospective recipients and deliverers |
| topic | acceptability interventions scabies street children Ethiopia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1529012/full |
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