Abstract

ROMERO RUIZ, Richard; CLUET DE RODRIGUEZ, Isabel; ROSSELL PINEDA, María R  and  ALVAREZ DE ACOSTA, Thaís. Maltrato y abuso sexual como causas de abandono del hogar en niños, niñas y adolescentes de la calle primer premio póster: LIV congreso nacional de pediatría 2008. Arch Venez Puer Ped [online]. 2008, vol.71, n.4, pp.119-123. ISSN 0004-0649.

Objective: To evaluate maltreatment and sexual abuse as causes of home abandonment in children, and adolescents of the street in Maracaibo. Method: 68 chidren of both genders were selected at random and studied in a prospective and descriptive investigation, performed from January 2000 to January 2001. Results: Ages were between 5 and 17 years, predominating the adolescents between 11 and 13 years (43.8%). The cause of home abandonment was physical maltreatment (39.71%). 20.51% was sexually abused, although this was not stated as the cause for home abandonment. The age of 9 years was the most vulnerable for sexual abuse (5.88%). The anal region was the anatomic region mostly abused (85.71%). The aggressors were friends of the victims in a high percentage of cases (64.29%). Children began sexual avtivity between 8 and 11 years of age (53.84%). The age at which children began drug abuse was between 9 and 11 years (46.15%) with alcohol (46.15%) as the most frequently used. 20% tried to commit suicide and all were boys. 61.76% came from homes with married parents. All children were negative for HIV and VDRL tests. Only 20 cases (29.41%) between 5 and 10 years, (18 boys and 2 girls) accepted to be transferred to Casa Mia, which is an Institution for the re-education of children and adolescents of the street. Conclusion: Child abuse was the most important cause of home abandonment in this group, although sexual maltreatment was not. Life conditions to which these children are exposed, place them in situation of high risk in the biological and psyco - emotional aspects. The participation of the entire population is needed to obtain the implementation and fulfillment of effective policies for the prevention of this problem.

Keywords : niños; niñas; adolescentes de la calle; abandono; maltrato físico.