Abstract:
Background:
The objective of this study was to describe the physical, social, and psychological initiation practices
of street connected children and youths, in Eldoret, western Kenya.
Methods:
This qualitative study was conducted from August 2013 to February 2014. A total of 65 SCCY aged 11
–
24
years were purposively sampled from the three referral points: 1) A dedicated study clinic for vulnerable children
andyouthatMoiTeachingandReferralHospital(MTRH);
2) Primary locations in which street children reside
“
bases/
barracks
”
; 3) Street youth community-based organizations. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used
to collect data. All data were audio recorded, transcribed
, translated to English, and a content analysis performed.
Results:
The overall median age was 18 years (IQR 14
–
20.5 years) and 69.2 % of participants were male. None had
gone beyond primary level of education. The majority (81.
5%)reportedtobesexuallyactive.Thestreetcommunity
had well-defined structures and rules that were protectiv
e of members and ensured survival on the streets. To be fully
accepted children had to go through an initiation ritual th
at had important gender differences. Common rituals between
males and females included interrogation, smearing of black soot, and payment of tax. Ritual practices unique to boys
were physical abuse, theft of personal p
ossessions, volatile substance use, b
eing forced to eat garbage, and sodomy
among the physically weak. Rituals unique to girls were being forced to
‘
become a wife or sexual partner
’
, rape, and gang
rape. Physical and psychological abuse during initiation was normalized and there were no clear mechanisms of dealing
with these forms of abuse.
Conclusion:
There were important gender differences in the initiation practices of SCCY. Normalization of physical and
psychological abuse during initiation contributes to the high
health risks faced by these SCCY. Appropriate interventions
need to be developed in col
laboration with SCCY.