Prevalence and Associated Factors of Glue Sniffing and Symptoms of Neurotoxicity among Street Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Date
2021
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Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: Organic solvent like toluene is a neurotoxin chemical known to cause many
health effects targeting mainly the central nervous system. Such chemicals are found in glue.
These days, street children are abusing this substance by sniffing on the glue which leaves
them for risk of neurotoxicity that is a toxicity of central nervous system.. The magnitude of
problem is not explored in our context. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence of
glue sniffing and neurotoxicity symptoms among street children who have been exposed to
organic solvents through sniffing glue. It‟s also thrives to find out the factors associated with
glue sniffing.
Method: A cross sectional study was employed using both qualitative and quantitative
approaches. Four hundred twenty participants were recruited in this study with a Probabilistic
sampling techniques. A modified Germen version Q18 was used to assess neurotoxic
symptoms. Focus group discussion (FGD) was used for the qualitative study. Data were
transferred to epi info version 7and then transferred to SPSS version (20) for analysis. The
qualitative data were collected using one male and one female FDG. Key informants‟
interview was also carried out. Descriptive analysis and Logistic regression analysis was used
for the quantitative data whereas Content analyse was done using open code software for the
qualitative part.
Result: Of 420 participants 330 (78.6%) were male. The prevalence of glue sniffing among
street children was found to be 81.9% at 95%CI, of which 274 (79.6%) were male. Depression
293(69.8%), Headache 287(68.3%) and feeling sick 212(50.5%) were the most prevalent
neurotoxicity symptoms among street children. Age (AOR=2.04; 95% CI: 1.06-3.93), Work
status (AOR=0.49; 95% CI: 0.26-0.91), time on the street (AOR=3.73; 95% CI: 1.78-7.82),
Peer pressure (AOR=3.10; 95% CI: 1.72-5.59), stress and depression (AOR=3.72; 95% CI:
2.07-6.68) and self-esteem (AOR=2.86; 95% CI: 1.51-5.43) were significantly associated with
glue sniffing.
Conclusion: The prevalence of glue sniffing among street children is alarmingly high causing
health problem on these children with a high prevalence of neurotoxicity symptoms;
depression, headache and short memory. The determinant factors were age, time on street,
work status, peer pressure, stress & depression and self-esteem,. Prohibiting the use of glue by
law and further study is recommended.
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Keywords
Organic solvent, neurotoxicity, glue sniffing, street children.