The Biopsychosocial Indicators of Health and Social Needs Related to Poverty and Adversity Among Vulnerable and Homeless Children in Tanzania: A Scoping Review

Background Childhood poverty and adverse experiences contribute to child vulnerability, hindering healthy childhood growth and development pathways. Currently, the evidence on adversities related to vulnerable and homeless children's health and social needs in Tanzania is limited as a result of the complex social, economic, and political environment. Objectives This review investigates the biopsychosocial indicators of health and social needs related to vulnerable and homeless children facing poverty and a range of adversities in Tanzania. The main objective is to conduct a scoping review of the published literature to identify key evidence and to suggest future research needs.MethodsA data search was undertaken between May and September 2020. Data sources included literature identified through electronic databases, such as CINAHL, Pub Med, Psych Info, and Medline. Further additional studies were located through a manual search of an organisational website and reference list. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were: (i) Published in the English language; (ii) Peer-reviewed and published within the past 10 years; (iii) Subjects included children aged from 0-18 years who were vulnerable due to poverty and a range of adversities; and iv) Studies conducted only in Tanzania. The five-step scoping review process was followed, as developed by Arksey and Malley (2005). Data were analysed using thematic analysis, and conceptualised using the third iteration of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory to identify the indicators relating to vulnerable and homeless children's health and social needs (1, 2). Results Three themes were identified in the literature, including the increasing burden of disease and mortality, poor access to service delivery for vulnerable and homeless children, and a lack of adherence to local and national policies to protect children. The articles collated with similar themes were presented together. These themes were conceptualized using the third iteration of Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory.Conclusion There is a need for greater investment in public health measures to detect vulnerable and homeless children's clinical risks, particularly given the COVID-19 pandemic which has exacerbated childhood adversities, with implications for children's overall health in Tanzania. Further research should explore ways to forge links for program implementation between multi-sector stakeholders and primary healthcare systems through early recognition of indicators and reduction of alienation within communities. This will enhance health and social support care for vulnerable and homeless children.

Reforming the Engagement of Schools With Unaccompanied Homeless Children

Homelessness, with poverty and housing inaccessibility as its underlying structural drivers, has an enduring presence in all Western nations. While governments traditionally focus on supporting adults, families, and youth out of homelessness, increasingly attention is being turned to the significant number of children under 18 years who experience homelessness alone without an accompanying parent or guardian. Unaccompanied children commonly leave home early against the backdrop of family conflict and breakdown, domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, and neglect. They may sleep rough without shelter, couch-surf between extended family members, friends, and acquaintances, and access those youth refuges that will accommodate them. Without access to the consistent care of a parent or guardian, unaccompanied homeless children experience unique personal, systemic, and structural vulnerabilities that, without adequate developmentally appropriate intervention, will result in a range of physical, psychological, social, and educational harms. Schools, as the sole universal statutory service for children, can be central in the immediate safeguarding of children and their referral to services for additional supports. Schools can also offer a pathway into lifelong learning, employment, and community connectedness that is crucial to reducing poverty and enabling wellbeing and social inclusion. As such, schools have a key role to play in responding to unaccompanied homeless children by ensuring equitable access to education and engaging with the international shift toward child and youth homelessness prevention and early intervention. Research consistently suggests school-based programs are key to identifying children at risk, preventing homelessness, and improving learning outcomes for those who do experience homelessness. At a minimum, schools can intervene in educational harms, such as low attainment and early school leaving, that are associated with high mobility, a lack of support, cumulative trauma, and stigma. Addressing administrative and practical barriers to homeless children’s school access and attendance, implementing trauma-informed practice, and increasing awareness of homelessness are essential starting points. Further, the trend of articulating child wellbeing as a shared, cross-sector goal has increasingly created opportunities for schools, in collaboration with social services, to become innovative homelessness prevention and early intervention hubs that strengthen children’s outcomes.

FAMINE IN THE COUNTRY IN 1921-1922: CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

The article analyzes the causes and consequences of the fact that the country has experienced three famines since the establishment of Soviet power. The policy of "military communism" during the drought of 1921-1922 was a severe blow to agriculture and led to the spread of famine. During the years of civil strife, the fact that a large part of the population's food was taken for free by the state did not go unnoticed. Especially in Uralsk, Orenburg, Kostanay, Bokei, Aktobe provinces, the drought killed a lot of livestock. The locals were starving. The situation of homeless children was dire. Various infectious diseases and deaths have increased in the country. The state of health care in the country was not critical. This was compounded by the recklessness of local leaders in collecting food taxes and the actions of gangs. During the famine, the leadership of the autonomy took a number of measures. Field hunger commissions have been set up. Homelesschildren were placed in orphanages and special places, and even in other republics and foreign countries.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United States have provided humanitarian assistance to help end the famine. The effects of the nearly three-year famine were severe. During these years, about 1 million Kazakhs died of starvation.

The Psychiatrists’ Contribution in Overcoming Children’s Homelessness in Moscow in the 1920s

The article is devoted to the psychiatrists’ activities in overcoming children’s homelessness in the 1920s in Moscow. The social roots of homelessness as a source of juvenile offences in the capital are shown. Anti-children’s homelessness measures implemented by government and health care system are presented. The problem acuteness of mental disorders in homelessness and young offenders was revealed, the importance of their medical and pedagogical correction for further successful socialization was grounded. We have analyzed the actions of Moscow psychiatrists, employees of National Institute of Protection of Children and Adolescents of People’s Commissariat of Public Health named after 10th anniversary of the October Revolution (N.I. Ozeretsky, M.O. Gurevich, E.P. Radin, etc.) on research of causes and correction of mental disorders in homeless children, humanization of correctional facilities for young offenders, and the organization of the Russian psychiatric service for children. The research of these scientists has played crucial role in the development of social pediatrics. The conclusion about the significant contribution of psychiatrists to overcoming children’s homelessness in Moscow was made.

The Impact of COVID-19 Crisis on Homeless Children in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world patterns including economic, human needs, and daily activity. Millions of people have been called to stay at home, keep physical distancing, and many economic activities are closed as a precautionary measure. As a result, many people are unable to work and earn money, especially those who receive a daily salary. For a certain group of people such as homeless children, this situation is bad. Without a proper home, lack of basic needs and social services makes them exposed to multiple deprivations. In this regard, in this conceptual chapter, the researcher will report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on homeless children in Malaysia. Aside from that, the researcher will also explain the roles of a social services provider to help homeless children meet their needs during the pandemic. This conceptual chapter enables agencies who work with vulnerable children, policymakers, and child social services providers to utilize the input to frame special social care programs for homeless children during the spread of the pandemic.