Treatment Seeking Behavior of Inhalant Using Street Children: Are We Prepared to Meet Their Treatment Needs

Context: There is a lack of evidence for help and treatment seeking behavior of street children using inhalants.

Aims: The present study was planned to provide a comprehensive understanding on the patterns, correlates of inhalant use and treatment seeking behavior of street children from Delhi, India.

Material and methods: Participants were a purposive sample of 100 inhalant using street children below 18 years identified with the assistance of five community service organizations/nongovernmental organization working with street children in the city of Delhi. Information on a semi-structured questionnaire with items pertaining to the demographic and drug use parameters was collected by trained research staff in a one-to-one in field setting.

Statistical analysis: All data were entered into SPSS 12.0, data quality checks performed and examined.

Results: The sample had an average age of 12.8 ± 2.4 years (range 4-17 years), 96.5% reported regular past month and 87.0% past 24 h use of inhalants. The mean age of onset of inhalant use was 9.3 ± 2.8 years The substances most commonly reported were toluene from eraser fluid (by 83.0%), glues (34.0%) and petroleum products (3.0%); mean frequency of use was 9.8 times in a day. Of the sample, 18% used inhalants when they were alone, and the rest reported using with drug using network friends; 76% reported tolerance and mild withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, anxiety, craving, irritability and lethargy. A variety of problems and perceived benefits due to inhalant use were reported; 46% inhalant users had never abstained from its use, and 77% reported never having sought any medical help.

Conclusions: Study findings provide a better contemporary understanding of inhalant abuse among Delhi street children. This information can assist in the formulation of a needs-based intervention for the inhalant using street children.