Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Health inequalities among homeless adolescents* * * This article refers to the call “Adolescent health and the role of nurses”. Edited by Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Publication of this supplement was supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Articles have undergone the journal’s standard peer-review process for supplements. The views expressed in this supplement are those of the authors alone and do not represent the views of PAHO/WHO. Paper extracted from from doctoral dissertation “Adolescents in street situation: understanding the context and the social determinants of health”, presented to Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - Finance Code 001, Grant # 141060/2018-2, Brazil.

Abstract

Objective:

highlight health inequalities of homeless adolescents based on the conceptual framework of social determinants of health.

Method:

this is a convergent parallel mixed-methods study. The population consisted of adolescents who are homeless, with purposeful sampling and data saturation. Quantitative data were obtained with a questionnaire and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews.

Results:

19 homeless adolescents participated in the study, 13 (68.4%) aged 16 to 19 years; 11 (57.9%) were male, 3 (15.8%) were female, and 5 (26.3%) were transgender adolescents. Participants experienced different levels of exposure and vulnerabilities to conditions that affect health and were directly related to intermediate determinants of health.

Conclusion:

this study provides an understanding of the inequalities related to the health of homeless adolescents and shows evidence that supports strategies to promote equity and dignity in health care.

Descriptors:
Nursing; Adolescent; Vulnerable Populations; Homeless People; Social Determinants of Health; Contextual Effects of Health Disparities

Resumo

Objetivo:

evidenciar as desigualdades em saúde de adolescentes em situação de rua com base no marco conceitual dos determinantes sociais em saúde.

Método:

pesquisa de métodos mistos com abordagem convergente paralela. A população foi composta por adolescentes em situação de rua, cuja amostra foi intencional com saturação dos dados. Os dados quantitativos foram obtidos por meio de questionário; e os qualitativos, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada.

Resultados:

participaram do estudo 19 adolescentes em situação de rua, sendo 13 (68,4%) com idade entre 16 e 19 anos; 11 (57,9%) do gênero masculino, três (15,8%) do gênero feminino e cinco (26,3%) adolescentes trans. Os participantes experimentam diferenças na exposição e vulnerabilidade a condições que comprometem a saúde e que estão diretamente relacionadas aos determinantes intermediários de saúde.

Conclusão:

o estudo permitiu compreender as desigualdades relativas à saúde de adolescentes em situação de rua e reuniu evidências para estratégias que promovam equidade e dignidade no cuidado à saúde.

Descritores:
Enfermagem; Adolescente; Populações Vulneráveis; Pessoas em Situação de Rua; Determinantes Sociais da Saúde; Efeitos Contextuais das Desigualdades em Saúde

Resumen

Objetivo:

evidenciar las desigualdades en salud de adolescentes que viven en situación de calle con base en el marco conceptual de los determinantes sociales en salud.

Método:

investigación de métodos mixtos con enfoque convergente paralelo. La población estuvo formada por adolescentes en situación de calle, cuya muestra fue intencional con saturación de los datos. Los datos cuantitativos se obtuvieron por medio de un cuestionario; y los cualitativos, mediante entrevista semiestructurada.

Resultados:

participaron en el estudio 19 adolescentes en situación de calle, de los cuales 13 (68,4%) con edades entre 16 y 19 años; 11 (57,9%) eran del sexo masculino, tres (15,8%) del sexo femenino y cinco (26,3%), adolescentes trans. Los participantes experimentan diferencias en la exposición y vulnerabilidad a las condiciones que comprometen la salud y que están directamente relacionadas con los determinantes intermedios de la salud.

Conclusión:

el estudio permitió comprender las desigualdades relativas a la salud de adolescentes en situación de calle y reunió evidencias para estrategias que promuevan la equidad y la dignidad en el cuidado a la salud.

Descriptores:
Enfermería; Adolescente; Poblaciones Vulnerables; Personas sin Hogar; Determinantes Sociales de la Salud; Efectos Contextuales de las Desigualdades en Salud

Highlights:

(1) Contribute with strategies towards equal access to health services and dignity in adolescent care. (2) Understand the health needs of homeless adolescents. (3) Reflect on adolescent health care. (4) Support the health system and reduce health inequities.

Introduction

Adolescents who are homeless represent a clear and extreme evidence of social inequality. It is a problem of multiple dimensions, not only due to its causes, but also due to the population heterogeneity. Many adolescents who are homeless are marked by deep ruptures with their families and their educational, professional and social environment, which, combined with the conditions of poverty, make them experience precarious realities in society11. Barone C, Yamamoto A, Richardson C, Zivanovic R, Lin D, Mathias S. Examining cognitive impairment patterns among homeless and precariously housed urban youth. J Adolesc. 2019;72:64-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2019.02.011
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.20...
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Homeless adolescents consider the streets their space of life and are faced with different situations of social and economic exclusion, deprived of human dignity and well-being. This reality has been present for at least one century in Latin America22. Torres Ruiz J. Aproximaciones al reconocimiento de la ciudadanía de las personas habitantes de la calle desde los discursos político-jurídicos en Bogotá: conceptos globales/locales en el siglo XX y políticas públicas en el siglo XXI [Master’s thesis]. Bogotá: Departamento de Sociología, Universidad Nacional de Colombia; 2017 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://repositorio.unal.edu.co/bitstream/handle/unal/62935/1014178673.2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://repositorio.unal.edu.co/bitstrea...
, considering streets mean for adolescents a space of freedom, where everything is allowed. However, it involves the cruel aspect of denial of rights - such as education, health, leisure - and family and community life. Adolescents who are homeless show the failure of society to protect these people from situations of vulnerabilities and risks33. Souza MTC, Campanha Nacional Criança Não é da Rua, organizators. Diretrizes nacionais para o atendimento a crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério dos Direitos Humanos; 2017 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: http://primeirainfancia.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0344c7_4fe2ba1cd6854b649d45d71a6517f80d.pdf
http://primeirainfancia.org.br/wp-conten...
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The concept of inequality is described in texts of international organizations related to human rights and, more specifically, in studies about rights of adolescents such as: the right to freedom, respect and dignity; right to family and community life; right to practice a profession and protection at work; education, culture, sport and leisure; and, finally, protection from physical or psychological violence44. Organização das Nações Unidas. Desigualdad: cómo subsanar las diferencias [Internet]. New York: ONU; 2018 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/1918255s.inequalities.005.pdf
https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/file...
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In general terms, the rights of adolescents are described in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has its moral foundation in the fulfillment of universal needs such as: physical nutrition, autonomy, celebration, integrity, interdependence, play, and spiritual communion. Then, the convention aims to ensure the absence of inequalities44. Organização das Nações Unidas. Desigualdad: cómo subsanar las diferencias [Internet]. New York: ONU; 2018 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/1918255s.inequalities.005.pdf
https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/file...
-55. Rizzini I, Couto R. População infantil e adolescente nas ruas. Civitas Rev Ciên Soc. 2019;19(1):105-22. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019.1.30867
https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019....
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Most diseases and resulting inequalities are related to the conditions in which people are born, live, grow, work, and age. This group of factors is called social determinants of health (SDH), a term that covers economic, political, cultural, and environmental dimensions66. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2011 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44489/9789241500852_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand...

7. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health: debates, policy & practice, case studies. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2010 [cited 2019 Oct 20]. Available from: Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44489/1/9789241500852_eng.pdf
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665...
-88. World Health Organization. Conferência Mundial sobre Determinantes Sociais em Saúde [Internet] 2011 [cited 2019 Nov 26]. Available from: Available from: http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/Primeira_versao_documento_tecnico_CMDSS.pdf
http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uplo...
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Thus, the conceptual framework of the World Health Organization (WHO) for social determinants of health can be used to explore and identify how the social, economic, and political context of a country affects the socioeconomic positions in society, where population is stratified by social class, gender and sexual identity, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation88. World Health Organization. Conferência Mundial sobre Determinantes Sociais em Saúde [Internet] 2011 [cited 2019 Nov 26]. Available from: Available from: http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/Primeira_versao_documento_tecnico_CMDSS.pdf
http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uplo...

9. Kibel M, Shah P, Ayuku D, Makori D, Kamaara E, Choge E, et al. Acceptability of a Pilot Intervention of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and HIV Education for Street-Connected Youth in Western Kenya. J Adolesc Health. 2019 Jan;64(1):43-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.07.027
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.201...
-1010. Natalino M, Pinheiro M. Proteção social aos mais vulneráveis em contexto de pandemia: algumas limitações práticas do auxílio emergencial e a adequação dos benefícios eventuais como instrumento complementar de política socioassistencial [Internet]. Brasília: IPEA: 2020 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream/11058/9999/1/NT_67_Disoc_Protecao%20Social%20aos%20Mais%20Vulneraveis% 20em%20Contexto%20de%20Pandemia.pdf
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Even so, an individual’s socioeconomic position shapes specific determinants of health status, known as intermediate determinants of health, which include material and psychosocial circumstances, such as housing, availability of food, living conditions, social support, and biological and behavioral factors66. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2011 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44489/9789241500852_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand...

7. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health: debates, policy & practice, case studies. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2010 [cited 2019 Oct 20]. Available from: Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44489/1/9789241500852_eng.pdf
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665...
-88. World Health Organization. Conferência Mundial sobre Determinantes Sociais em Saúde [Internet] 2011 [cited 2019 Nov 26]. Available from: Available from: http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/Primeira_versao_documento_tecnico_CMDSS.pdf
http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uplo...
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In general, health professionals have difficulties handling people in situations of vulnerability. In this sense, it is important to produce studies on this topic so that nursing has a strategic role in health care in this context. In the literature, this topic has not been fully explored, and such evidence would be relevant to qualify care and then enhance social integration of homeless adolescents, as this is a risk group in the current context1111. Rubio-Herrera A, Flores-Palacios F. Vulnerabilidad y su uso en la política social del estado de Yucatán. La Dirección de Atención a la Infancia y la Familia. LiminaR [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Apr 20]:16(2):118-31. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1665-0272018000200118&lng=es&nrm=iso
http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?scri...
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Nursing is a critical profession for health promotion and education, as it constitutes a strategic field of action to improve health conditions and the risk factors of adolescents who are homeless, which influence their health and are a result of the SDH. Public social policy restructuring is essential to ensure all important resources to members of society to compensate for income inequalities55. Rizzini I, Couto R. População infantil e adolescente nas ruas. Civitas Rev Ciên Soc. 2019;19(1):105-22. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019.1.30867
https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019....
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Then, the health needs of adolescents can be fulfilled with holistic care, covering body, mind, emotion, spirit, and environment. Therefore, a more personal relationship with the human being is established, under the care of the nurse, increasing trust and making the person more receptive to health guidance, which offers the possibility for patients to be responsible for their own health and, then, improve their quality of life. This study provides an opportunity to review the conditions of other people, such as homeless adolescents, considering their SDH, enabling changes in their lives focused on health promotion.

Therefore, this study helped recognize adolescents as actors and social subjects, with possibilities to improve their ability to reflect on the context by encouraging their development and adoption of healthy behaviors55. Rizzini I, Couto R. População infantil e adolescente nas ruas. Civitas Rev Ciên Soc. 2019;19(1):105-22. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019.1.30867
https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019....
,99. Kibel M, Shah P, Ayuku D, Makori D, Kamaara E, Choge E, et al. Acceptability of a Pilot Intervention of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and HIV Education for Street-Connected Youth in Western Kenya. J Adolesc Health. 2019 Jan;64(1):43-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.07.027
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.201...
-1010. Natalino M, Pinheiro M. Proteção social aos mais vulneráveis em contexto de pandemia: algumas limitações práticas do auxílio emergencial e a adequação dos benefícios eventuais como instrumento complementar de política socioassistencial [Internet]. Brasília: IPEA: 2020 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream/11058/9999/1/NT_67_Disoc_Protecao%20Social%20aos%20Mais%20Vulneraveis% 20em%20Contexto%20de%20Pandemia.pdf
http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream...
. Regarding knowledge gaps, there is a lack of nursing studies assessing the health needs of homeless adolescents, the interpersonal relationships between homeless adolescents and the professionals who provide care, and their personal experiences in the context of vulnerability and risk1212. Arêas NT Neto, Constantino P, Assis SG. Análise bibliográfica da produção em saúde sobre adolescentes cumprindo medidas socioeducativas de privação de liberdade. Física [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2022 Jul 10];27(3):511-40. Available from: Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-73312017000300008
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-7331201700...
. Considering the above, this article aims to highlight health inequalities of homeless adolescents based on the conceptual framework of social determinants of health.

Method

Study design

This is a convergent parallel mixed-methods study1313. Creswell J. Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2012.

14. Creswell JW, Clark VP. Pesquisa de métodos mistos. 2 ed. Porto Alegre: Penso; 2013.

15. Creswell J. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2015.
-1616. Colorafi K, Evans B. Qualitative Descriptive Methods in Health Science Research. HERD. 2016;9(4):16-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586715614171
https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586715614171...
.

Study period and site

This study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2021, with the application of interviews at bus terminals, supermarkets, malls, streets, squares, beaches, busy avenues, commercial and tourist areas. This project was articulated with social educators from the Ponte de Encontro Program, which approaches adolescents on the street and is part of the Fundação da Criança e da Família Cidadã (Funci), linked with the city administration of Fortaleza, Ceará.

Population and sample

The population consisted of homeless adolescents, with purposeful sampling and using datasaturation as the criterion for the number of observations. The sample consisted of a heterogeneous group in terms of gender identity, age, race, and life stories, with a context in common: extreme poverty, broken or weakened family bonds33. Souza MTC, Campanha Nacional Criança Não é da Rua, organizators. Diretrizes nacionais para o atendimento a crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério dos Direitos Humanos; 2017 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: http://primeirainfancia.org.br/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0344c7_4fe2ba1cd6854b649d45d71a6517f80d.pdf
http://primeirainfancia.org.br/wp-conten...

4. Organização das Nações Unidas. Desigualdad: cómo subsanar las diferencias [Internet]. New York: ONU; 2018 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/1918255s.inequalities.005.pdf
https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/file...

5. Rizzini I, Couto R. População infantil e adolescente nas ruas. Civitas Rev Ciên Soc. 2019;19(1):105-22. https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019.1.30867
https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2019....

6. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2011 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/44489/9789241500852_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/hand...

7. World Health Organization. A conceptual framework for action on the social determinants of health: debates, policy & practice, case studies. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2010 [cited 2019 Oct 20]. Available from: Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/44489/1/9789241500852_eng.pdf
http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665...

8. World Health Organization. Conferência Mundial sobre Determinantes Sociais em Saúde [Internet] 2011 [cited 2019 Nov 26]. Available from: Available from: http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uploads/2011/08/Primeira_versao_documento_tecnico_CMDSS.pdf
http://cmdss2011.org/site/wpcontent/uplo...

9. Kibel M, Shah P, Ayuku D, Makori D, Kamaara E, Choge E, et al. Acceptability of a Pilot Intervention of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and HIV Education for Street-Connected Youth in Western Kenya. J Adolesc Health. 2019 Jan;64(1):43-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2018.07.027
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.201...

10. Natalino M, Pinheiro M. Proteção social aos mais vulneráveis em contexto de pandemia: algumas limitações práticas do auxílio emergencial e a adequação dos benefícios eventuais como instrumento complementar de política socioassistencial [Internet]. Brasília: IPEA: 2020 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream/11058/9999/1/NT_67_Disoc_Protecao%20Social%20aos%20Mais%20Vulneraveis% 20em%20Contexto%20de%20Pandemia.pdf
http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream...

11. Rubio-Herrera A, Flores-Palacios F. Vulnerabilidad y su uso en la política social del estado de Yucatán. La Dirección de Atención a la Infancia y la Familia. LiminaR [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Apr 20]:16(2):118-31. Available from: Available from: http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1665-0272018000200118&lng=es&nrm=iso
http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?scri...

12. Arêas NT Neto, Constantino P, Assis SG. Análise bibliográfica da produção em saúde sobre adolescentes cumprindo medidas socioeducativas de privação de liberdade. Física [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2022 Jul 10];27(3):511-40. Available from: Available from: https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-73312017000300008
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-7331201700...

13. Creswell J. Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2012.

14. Creswell JW, Clark VP. Pesquisa de métodos mistos. 2 ed. Porto Alegre: Penso; 2013.

15. Creswell J. Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2015.

16. Colorafi K, Evans B. Qualitative Descriptive Methods in Health Science Research. HERD. 2016;9(4):16-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586715614171
https://doi.org/10.1177/1937586715614171...
-1717. Polit D, Beck C. Fundamentos da pesquisa em enfermagem: avaliação de evidências para a prática de enfermagem. 7. ed. Porto Alegre: ArtMed; 2018..

Data collection procedures and instruments

Data collection was performed in three stages: definition of the object, field work, and data analysis (Figure 1). The procedures are described below.

Figure 1
Data collection procedures

Quantitative data were obtained using a questionnaire with sociodemographic questions; and qualitative data were obtained in a semi-structured interview.

Data analyses

The analysis of quantitative data was conducted with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 25.0 for Windows. Inferential tests were applied using Fisher’s test and the chi-square test. The analysis of qualitative data was performed using a discourse analysis supported by reflections on the frameworks of social determinants of health, with the help of the ATLAS.ti9 software, License nº. L-24E-AD0. For qualitative data, a systematic coding was adopted, as described below1818. Schützer D, Garanhani F, Pereira V, Bastos R, Gomes C, Turato E. Seven steps for qualitative treatment in health research: the Clinical-Qualitative Content Analysis. Ciên Saúde Colet. 2021;26(1):265-74. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232020261.07622019
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232020261...
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Open coding: analytical procedure through which data were segmented and opened to show the thoughts, ideas, and meanings of the adolescents in order to discover, label, and develop concepts. The inductive steps were conducted and data categories were used without previous conditions.

Axial coding: it was produced by establishing hierarchical relationships with the subcategory of properties and dimensions around the category considered as the axis, thus obtaining a scheme to help understand the phenomena and configure the core categories.

Selective coding: it enabled the conceptual and theoretical relationship between codes and subcategories, that is, the theory. The interviewees are represented by the letter “E” and numbered successively as they were included in the study in order to preserve their identities.

Ethical aspects

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Universidade Federal do Ceará, under approval nº 4.430.75/2020, and meets the ethical and legal requirements of Resolution 466/12 and Resolution 510 of the National Health Council1919. Ministério da Saúde, Conselho Nacional de Saúde (BR). Resolução nº 466, de 12 de dezembro de 2012 [Internet]. Diário Oficial da União, 13 jun 2013 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegis/cns/2013/res0466_12_12_2012.html
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/bvs/saudelegi...
-2020. Ministério da Saúde, Conselho Nacional de Saúde (BR). Resolução Nº 510, de 07 de abril de 2016 [Internet]. Diário Oficial da União, 24 maio 2016 [cited 2022 Feb 28]. Available from: Available from: https://www.conselho.saude.gov.br/resolucoes/2016/Reso510.pdf
https://www.conselho.saude.gov.br/resolu...
. All adolescents were properly informed about the study objectives. Participants were asked to read and sign the consent form; however, as many of them could not read, the researcher read it to them and recorded their oral acceptance. For adolescents with parents and/or legal guardians, they also signed the informed consent form.

Results

Nineteen homeless adolescents participated in the study; 13 (68.4%) were aged 16 to 19 years. Regarding gender identity, 11 (57.9%) were male, 3 (15.8%) were female, and 5 (26.3%) were transgender adolescents. Regarding their skin color, 15 (78.9%) self-reported as non-white (brown and black). About their origin, 14 (73.7%) were from Fortaleza. About how long they have been homeless, 9 (47.4%) reported 2 to 12 years and 10 (52.6%), six months. No participant had been homeless between 6 and 12 months. For weekly income, 10 (52.6%) adolescents received BRL 100 to 180 and 9 (47.4%), BRL 200 to 300.

Homeless adolescents experienced different levels of exposure and vulnerabilities to conditions that affect health and were directly related to intermediate determinants of health. According to data of our study, the core category of health inequality among homeless adolescents had two subcategories: health system and health and well-being.

Health system

The health system is seen as the organized social response to the health issues of a given population, providing access to health care services to people with illnesses and health problems. Although the right to health is recognized as a human right, our study, it is not exercised in an equitable and full manner by all population in Brazil. According to the participants, this perception is associated with the type of care provided, the characteristics of illnesses and health problems, the places individuals go to in case of health problems, and the lack of and ID document (Table 1).

Regarding the possession of an ID document, only 9 (47.4%) adolescents had a birth/marriage certificate and 5 (26.3%) had the ID card and a birth/marriage certificate. The lack of an ID document influences the provision of health care, because, as illustrated in the statements below, care was refused to the adolescents. One of them left the health center and his health condition became worse on the streets:

[…] No, but it seems that I have mental problems. We don’t have a problem with living on the streets, we just have these silly things of people in our own house fighting, but apart from that, we sleep well [...]. Most of the time I stay on the streets, because I need a document and I don’t have it (E19).

Regarding the possession of an ID document and its association with age group, gender identity and race, no statistically significant association was observed between these variables (Table 2).

Table 1
Sociodemographic data: illnesses and health problems, health care centers, and ID document. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2021 (n=19)

Table 2
Bivariate analysis of the association between ID document possession, age group, gender identity, and race. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2021 (n=19)

Regarding illnesses and health problems on the streets, our study showed that 10 (52.6%) adolescents reported no health problems, while 9 (47.4%) reported some illness or condition (Table 1). According to the following statements, the most frequent illnesses and health problems were: malaria, mycosis, gastritis, respiratory problems, type 1 diabetes, and mental illnesses such as depression:

[…] No, I just have gastritis and breathing problems (E9).[…] No, I just have psychological problems […]. Yeah, I was diagnosed with depression, anxiety crisis, and panic disorder […]. Yeah, when I have a crisis, I go there right away so I can get better. […] Only medical follow-up, because I have type 1 diabetes […]. Exactly, then my leg hurts because I had an allergy to the sun and it ended up hurting a lot and, sometimes, I eat unhealthy food and it takes time to heal (E18). […] It’s mycosis (E19).

The homeless population has increased in recent years in Brazil2121. Boehm C. Jovens em situação de rua ficam mais vulneráveis durante a pandemia [Internet]. Agência Brasil, 27 jun. 2020 [cited 2021 Jul 22]. Available from: Available from: https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/direitos-humanos/noticia/2020-06/fragilidade-de-criancas-e-adolescentes-em-situacao-de-rua-cresce-na
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; so, understanding their perception of health care is the first step to meet the needs in a humanized way and create a bond between this population and the health service, considering that several diseases can be aggravated by the fact that they live on the streets.

Regarding the place they go to when they feel sick, nine (47.4%) adolescents go to the hospital/emergency care unit (UPA) and 8 (42.1%) prefer to go to a health care center - basic health unit (Table 1). Their statements mention these both places, and some choose not to go anywhere:

[…] When I get sick, I don’t tell anyone, there is prejudice at the UPA […]. I just lie down (E4). […] Sometimes I go to a health care center to get some medication, but sometimes they don’t have it […]. Yes, health care center (E6).

Their preference for the health care center is evident in the statements, as they report worse care provided at UPA:

[...] When I have even a toothache, I go [to the health care center]. They treat me well, I get there, they ask for the document, then they write down my name, I don’t know what [...]. Only at the UPA, I found it bad, because at UPA, I got there and waited for two, three hours and they couldn’t see me and I left, I think they don’t like us, people who live on the streets [...]. I think health care centers are better, so when I have a simple problem, I go to there, they resolve my problem, quickly, and it’s quick (E16).

Health and well-being

Well-being refers to attitudes and/or behaviors that improve the quality of life to reach an optimal health state. Then, the complexity of health and well-being is undeniable, regardless of the perspective from which these aspects are approached, especially when considering homeless adolescents. The fragility of health and well-being is associated with the conditions of the places where people sleep, who they sleep with, quality/quantity of sleep, rent (if applicable), street food, and personal hygiene (Table 3).

Table 3
Characteristics of the places where adolescents sleep, who they sleep with, quality/quantity of sleep, rent, street food, and personal hygiene. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2021 (n=19)

Our study found that 13 (68.4%) adolescents sleep on the street and have several places to sleep, such as the beach, under viaducts, on squares, and at bus terminals. Six teenagers sleep at home like to be on the streets during the day to make money during this period. Regarding who they sleep with, 11 (57.9%) adolescents sleep alone and 8 (42.1%) sleep with a partner (Table 2). The statements below reinforce the permanent inequalities experienced by adolescents:

[…] I used to sleep under one viaduct, I looked for a safe area (E1). […] I slept under a boat, it was turned upside down, then I slept under it, alone (E3). […] Some days I sleep on Praça do Ferreira with my partner […]. Near the beach, in Dragão do Mar, a place where we are safe (E6).

Regarding the sleep quality/quantity, the interviewees report that it is not good, as the street context has violence, unquietness, and unexpected and risky situations, which can occur while they are sleeping. Therefore, they feel fear when they sleep at night, so they prefer to sleep during the day:

[…] I used to sleep at a bus stop alone […] and so I did. Sometimes, when I slept on the street here in Fortaleza, I was hit by the police, because they caught me at night in an alley, because I lived in a slum, then they hit me (E11). […] Yes, I don’t sleep well on the street, those things of the night, of fear; so I often prefer to sleep during the day (E13).

In this study, homeless adolescents sought a place considered safe and hidden, where they could spend the night. Taking care of oneself on the street involves the possibility of sleeping day and night, although there are no doors and windows on the streets for safety and privacy1414. Creswell JW, Clark VP. Pesquisa de métodos mistos. 2 ed. Porto Alegre: Penso; 2013..

Using a house to sleep is mentioned by some adolescents as challenging. Whenever they can, they rent a place to rest:

[…] Every day I come to fight, I have a daughter, I pay the rent, thank God every day I make “some money” and take it home (E15). […] No. I’m renting a small room so I can sleep [...]. I used to sleep on squares. There was no place to sleep, now I managed to rent a place (E8).

Regarding the place where they sleep, who they sleep with, and such association with age group, gender identity, and race, no statistically significant association was observed between these variables (Table 4).

Table 4
Bivariate association analysis of the variables: where they sleep, who they sleep with, and sleep quality/quantity, rent, street food, and personal hygiene. Fortaleza, CE, Brazil, 2021 (n=19)

Regarding food, 12 (63.2%) adolescents buy their food and 7 (36.8%) eat at an accessible restaurant, but their statements show they feel hungry, going through several experiences on the streets in order to find food:

[…] When it’s early in the morning, he gives some food for me to eat. I buy coffee for myself. Then at lunch when I don’ pick some food here, then only at 3pm. Then at 3pm, I go there and pick it up, because it’s closing time, there’s always food leftover, not from the people who eat it, but there’s always that food left over and he gives it to homeless people. Then I live this way (E16). [...] So, I looked for food in the garbage and I ate food from the garbage, things I wouldn’t eat, I’m not going to humiliate myself, because I’ve humiliated, I was small, I’ve humiliated, because he was from the street. So, I’m going through this today, I know he suffered (E19).

On the other hand, personal hygiene is one of the most difficult activities to be performed by adolescents who are homeless. Our findings show that 11 (57.9%) adolescents perform their personal hygiene in public toilets, such as containers. Then, hygiene is rarely performed by homeless people. With the absence of actions from the government, adolescents use informal resources, such as the street itself, but with more difficulties:

[…] I can’t have a shower properly. It was kind of difficult (E1). […] I took a bath like this: there was a spout […]. There was a big rock, and up there, there was a restaurant and a big pipe of water that kept running down. The flow was strong, it fell hard, then I went there and got wet and as I had no clothes to change, I waited for them to dry, and I felt very cold (E3). […] There is a public toilet [container], it offers free baths to people living on the streets (E13).

According to the statements of adolescents, there are two bath units, called Higiene Cidadã, which are open every day from 9 am to 7 pm. One of the units is located on the beach and has 20 bathrooms with showers and space for personal hygiene. The other is a container in downtown, which offers 12 bathrooms, external sinks, and drinking fountains. These areas also have access to food and water. Each unit receives on average 100 people every day.

Discussion

This study aimed to identify health inequalities of homeless adolescents based on the conceptual framework of social determinants of health. A very critical reality was observed among these adolescents, who were deprived of education, income, housing, food, and human dignity. They were aged 16 to 19 years, in agreement with a national study that analyzed the socioeconomic and demographic profile of adolescents who are homeless, from the perspective of sociocultural conditions2323. Penna L, Carinhanha J, Ribeiro L, Vianna H, Marques C. Socio-demographic profile of female adolescents in a street situation: analysis of sociocultural conditions. Enferm UERJ. 2017;25(1). https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2017.29603
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, with the presence of cisgender male and transgender male adolescents. These data also agree with another study conducted in downtown Toronto, Canada, in 2018, which reports an increase in the LGBTQIA+ population living on the streets2424. Thulien NS, Gastaldo D, Hwang SW, McCay E. The elusive goal of social integration: A critical examination of the socio-economic and psychosocial consequences experienced by homeless young people who obtain housing. Can J Public Health. 2018;109(1):89-98. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0029-6
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0029...
.

Regarding skin color, most adolescents reported brown and black skin. A social conjuncture linked with structural racism is observed, similar to that found in a Brazilian study, in which 80.9% of the participants were brown and black2121. Boehm C. Jovens em situação de rua ficam mais vulneráveis durante a pandemia [Internet]. Agência Brasil, 27 jun. 2020 [cited 2021 Jul 22]. Available from: Available from: https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/direitos-humanos/noticia/2020-06/fragilidade-de-criancas-e-adolescentes-em-situacao-de-rua-cresce-na
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22. Gauvin G, Labelle R, Daigle M, Breton JJ, Houle J. Coping, social support, and suicide attempts among homeless adolescents. Crisis. 2019;40(6):390-9. https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a000579
https://doi.org/10.1027/0227-5910/a00057...
-2323. Penna L, Carinhanha J, Ribeiro L, Vianna H, Marques C. Socio-demographic profile of female adolescents in a street situation: analysis of sociocultural conditions. Enferm UERJ. 2017;25(1). https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2017.29603
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2017.296...
.

When asked about how long adolescents had been homeless, they reported periods of more than six months, in agreement with estimates of the homeless population in Brazil. The number of people who are homeless has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, as seen in Nova Scotia (Cape Breton), mainly due to economic issues, including increased unemployment and poverty2525. Doll K, Karabanow J, Hughes J, Leviten-Reid C, Wu H. Homelessness within the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Nova Scotian Communities. Int J Homelessness. 2022;2(1):6-22. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2022.1.14227
https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2022.1.1422...

26. Campos D, Cardoso H, Moretti-Pires R. Vivências de pessoas LGBT em situação de rua e as relações com a atenção e o cuidado em saúde em Florianópolis, SC. Saúde Debate. 2019;43(sp. 8):79-90. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042019S806
https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-11042019S80...
-2727. Natalino MAC. Estimativa da população em situação de rua no Brasil [Internet]. Brasília: IPEA; 2020 [cited 2022 May 04]. Available from: Available from: http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream/11058/7289/1/td_2246.pdf
http://repositorio.ipea.gov.br/bitstream...
.

The contexts in which homeless adolescents are inserted and the way they live show different care practices. The health system and well-being are key factors for the development of society and to achieve equity in health. In this sense, the SDH approach helps understand the distribution of health resources and how care provision has promoted social justice and the access to services for the vulnerable population.

The fact that society has values of equality and social justice, as well as health services to fight against health inequities, are clear indicators that these aspects must be analyzed in scientific studies in order to produce evidence for public policies and internal coherence of these policies and their implementation in various sectors2828. Embleton L, Shah P, Gayapersad A, Kiptui R, Ayuku D, Braitstein P. Characterizing street-connected children and youths’ social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study. Int J Equity Health. 2020;19(1):147. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01255-8
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01255...

29. Chávez-Almazán LA, Díaz-González L, Rosales-Rivera M. Determinantes socioeconómicos de salud y COVID-19 en México. Gac Méd Méx. 2022;158(1):4-11. https://doi.org/10.24875/gmm.21000302
https://doi.org/10.24875/gmm.21000302...
-3030. Cabral IE, Pestana-Santos M, Leão CL, Nunes YR, Lopes FLM. Child health vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and Portugal. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem. 2021;29:e3422. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4805.3422
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4805.3...
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Thus, understanding the concept of health inequalities is essential for health care. Self-care is strongly related to fulfilling health needs, which are seen not as the absence of illnesses3030. Cabral IE, Pestana-Santos M, Leão CL, Nunes YR, Lopes FLM. Child health vulnerabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and Portugal. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem. 2021;29:e3422. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4805.3422
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.4805.3...
, but within the intercultural logic and intersubjectivity of human existence and dignity.

Inequalities express and are closely related to conditions of vulnerability; therefore, they must be seen from the subjectivity of the participants. Based on this perspective, homeless adolescents are heterogeneous, with their own characteristics, such as values, meanings, attributes, personal structure, survival strategies, and living conditions. These different characteristics involve various needs due to inequalities.

It is relevant to consider that poverty, among the several possible causes, does not allow individuals to meet their needs due to inequalities, as well as having a home to sleep, proper personal hygiene practices, food, and access to health. This context affects their physical, psychological, and social development3131. Sue-Ann M, Philippe-Benoit C. Navigating and Negotiating Health and Social Services in the Context of Homelessness: Resistance and Resilience. Int J Homelessness. 2022;2(1):23-36. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2022.1.1364
https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2022.1.1364...
-3232. Prado M, Gonçalves M, Silva S, Oliveira P, Santos K, Fortuna C. Homeless people: health aspects and experiences with health services. Rev Bras Enferm. 2021;74(1):e20190200. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0200
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and, consequently, can influence the continuity of adolescents on the streets, as reported in this study.

We can say the various vulnerabilities of adolescents became worse during the pandemic. Those who were permanently on the streets could not comply with the rule that was in force during the quarantine phase, which required everyone to “stay at home.” Staying at home with social distancing presupposes having a home, and our study found no option provided by the public power for this situation2121. Boehm C. Jovens em situação de rua ficam mais vulneráveis durante a pandemia [Internet]. Agência Brasil, 27 jun. 2020 [cited 2021 Jul 22]. Available from: Available from: https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/direitos-humanos/noticia/2020-06/fragilidade-de-criancas-e-adolescentes-em-situacao-de-rua-cresce-na
https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/direito...
.

In this perspective, sleeping on the streets - in places such as the beach, under overpasses, on squares, and at bus terminals - represents a complex reality that can affect the health of adolescents. Similar locations were identified in a longitudinal study conducted with street children and adolescents in three Brazilian capitals3333. Santana J, Raffaelli M, Koller S, Morais N. “Vocês me encontram em qualquer lugar”: realizando pesquisa longitudinal com adolescentes em situação de rua. Psico. 2018;49(1):31-42. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2018.1.25802
https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-8623.2018....
.

Sleeping on the streets is a practice that generates doubts, distress, fears, and the search for adequate (safe) places by the participants. They reported a preference for sleeping during the day for safety reasons, in agreement with a study conducted with 251 homeless people (aged 20 to 60 years) in São Paulo, which showed that 65% claimed feeling unsafe on the streets and 45.7% said they had suffered aggression in the last month3434. Chang H, Fisher F, Reitzel L, Kendzor D, Nguyen M, Businelle M. Subjective sleep inadequacy and self-rated health among homeless adults. Am J Health Behav. 2017;39(1):14-21 https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.39.1.2
https://doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.39.1.2...
. Another study with 244 homeless adults in Dallas, Texas, United States, showed that sleeping just a few hours is an aspect that influences the health/disease process of these people, resulting in mood disorders and a poor health self-assessment3535. Barata R, Carneiro J, Ribeiro M, Silveira C. Health social inequality of the homeless in the city of Sao Paulo. Saude Soc. 2015;24(1):215-27. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902015S01019
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-12902015S0...
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Adolescents who are homeless are subject to a vulnerable and hostile environment, involving situations of violence, hunger, and fear at sleep time, due to SDH, lack of housing, money, ID documents - critical elements of citizenship- and obstacles to receiving health care.

As for eating on the streets, this study found participants have trouble maintaining healthy eating habits. Their access to food is poor and does not meet the daily energy and nutritional needs of an adolescent, compromising their health and well-being. Similar results were found in an ethnographic study conducted in Toronto, Canada, with 9 homeless adolescents (19-24 years), which highlighted the lack of food and obstacles to healthy eating habits3636. Thulien N, Gastaldo D, Hwang S, McCay E. The elusive goal of social integration: A critical examination of the socio-economic and psychosocial consequences experienced by homeless young people who obtain housing. Can J Public Health. 2018;109(1):89-98. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0029-6
https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-018-0029...
.

For the homeless population, food and personal hygiene are the main activities that require attention3737. Fitzpatrick S, Mackie P, Wood J. Advancing a Five-Stage Typology of Homelessness Prevention. Int J Homelessness. 2021;1(1):79-97. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.13341
https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.1334...
. Obtaining food and a place for personal hygiene is even more challenging in the context of social distancing. The lack of access to these basic items leads to low self-esteem, situations of humiliation, illness, sadness, and violence.

Personal hygiene has never been considered so important among the economically privileged population, as a synonym for survival, as it has been today for the prevention of COVID-19. People are now required to wash their hands, take a shower, clean their homes and clothes. Care services for this population are few and, in Fortaleza, there is the Higiene Cidadã program, created due to the pandemic, have sufficient centers for all population.

Access to water, sanitary conditions, and hygiene are universal human rights, guaranteed by the Brazilian government in international agreements, which affect health and well-being. The UN 2030 Agenda determines that, by 2030, sanitary conditions (sewage treatment and toilets), drinking water and hygiene water (with soap supply) must be available to everyone3737. Fitzpatrick S, Mackie P, Wood J. Advancing a Five-Stage Typology of Homelessness Prevention. Int J Homelessness. 2021;1(1):79-97. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.13341
https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.1334...
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However, investments are required so this goal can be achieved. According to the World Health Organization, in Latin American countries, only 22% of the population has access to safe health services, while in North America and Europe, coverage reaches 78% of the population3838. World Health Organization; United Nations Children’s Fund. Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2017 update and SDG baselines [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2017 [cited 2021 Apr 06]. Available from: Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/ handle/10665/258617
https://apps.who.int/iris/ handle/10665/...
. Whereas the challenge of achieving this goal is great for the general population, it is urgent for the homeless population.

Homeless adolescents face several obstacles in the attempt to fulfill their needs, especially regarding bath, which does not allow them to practice self-care, making them dirty, smelly, and victims of prejudice and distancing. Similar data were obtained in a study with homeless people, conducted in the cities of São Paulo and Salvador, in which the homeless condition associated with dirt, poor hygiene or bad smell is a factor that prevents the access to health services and increase social exclusion and prejudice3838. World Health Organization; United Nations Children’s Fund. Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2017 update and SDG baselines [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2017 [cited 2021 Apr 06]. Available from: Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/ handle/10665/258617
https://apps.who.int/iris/ handle/10665/...

39. Silva D, Oliveira J, Porcino C, Gomes A, Suto C, Carvalho E. Homeless people’s social representations about self-care. Rev Bras Enferm. 2020;73(2):e20180956. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0956
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0...
-4040. Hino P, Santos J, Rosa A. People living on the street from the health point of view. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(Suppl 1):684-92. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0547
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
.

In this sense, the most prevalent diseases and health problems were malaria, mycosis, gastritis, respiratory problems, type 1 diabetes and mental illnesses, especially depression. Different results were obtained in a Japanese study and in a systematic review about homeless people, where the main diseases and health problems of this group included abuse of psychoactive substances, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection, mental disorders, and dental, dermatological and gastrointestinal problems4040. Hino P, Santos J, Rosa A. People living on the street from the health point of view. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(Suppl 1):684-92. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0547
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
-4141. Iwata M. What is the Problem of Homelessness in Japan? Conceptualisation, Research, and Policy Response. Int J Homelessness, 2021;1(1):98-112. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.13629
https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.1362...
.

Our study also showed a limited number of health care programs and services for homeless adolescents; and when these services are available, the provision of care to the homeless population due to lack of an ID document is a commonly observed phenomenon. Due to the situation, the health care system must be structured to meet the needs of this population. The Consultório na Rua program was a milestone that generated progress to the provision of care to this social group. However, the program has only one office, which is not enough considering the high demand observed.

Our study highlights that the difficult access to health services as a result of the lack of ID documents is a reality experienced by adolescents who are homeless. The literature shows similar results from studies assessing the ID document requirement, restriction in meeting scheduled appointments of patients, limits in intersectoral practices, prejudice, among other aspects, creating poor bonds for people living on the streets4242. Paiva I, Lira C, Justino J, Miranda M, Saraiva A. Homeless people’s right to health: reflections on the problems and components. Ciên Saude Colet. 2016;21(8):2595-606. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232015218.06892015
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232015218...

43. Toledo L, Góngora A, Bastos F. A margem: uso de crack, desvio, criminalização e exclusão social: uma revisão narrativa. Ciên Saude Colet. 2017;22(1):31-42. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017221.02852016
https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232017221...
-4444. Kerman N. The Role of Universal Basic Income in Preventing and Ending Homelessness. Int J Homelessness. 2021;1(1):3-13. https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.13337
https://doi.org/10.5206/ijoh.2021.1.1333...
.

Some participants highlighted discrimination while seeking care in health services, such as the UPA. Studies indicate the delay and obstacles in seeking care is due to prejudice and discrimination related to individual’s condition of hygiene, clothing, smell, lack of ID document for identification and registration, in addition to previous episodes of poor service and even prohibition to enter public facilities4040. Hino P, Santos J, Rosa A. People living on the street from the health point of view. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(Suppl 1):684-92. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0547
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0...
.

Based on the expanded concept of health, seen as a social phenomenon affected by the context where individuals and communities live, such as adolescents living on the streets4545. O’Brien JRG, Auerswald C, English A, Ammerman S, Beharry M, Heerde JA, et al. Youth Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Unique Needs and Practical Strategies From International Perspectives. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Feb;68(2):236-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.202...
, covering all aspects of their individual and collective needs requires the adoption of a broader concept of care to enable the development of health strategies addressing problems and the intermediate determinants of health related to the health and well-being process.

Understanding the concept of inequalities is critical to health care work and nursing practice. Inequalities must be understood within the symbolic universe and intersubjectivity, considering they change according to the individual’s social position in the world, and the individual’s interpretation of the world and culture4545. O’Brien JRG, Auerswald C, English A, Ammerman S, Beharry M, Heerde JA, et al. Youth Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Unique Needs and Practical Strategies From International Perspectives. J Adolesc Health. 2021 Feb;68(2):236-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.11.005
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.202...
-4646. Oliveira D, Expedito A, Aleixo M, Carneiro N, Jesus M, Merighi M. Needs, expectations and care production of people in street situation. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(Suppl 6):2689-97. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2017-0612
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; therefore, with a strategic understanding based on the subjectivity of individuals and social groups4747. Zoboli E, Schveitzer M. Nursing values as social practice: a qualitative meta-synthesis. Rev. Latino-Am. Enferm. 2013;21(3):695-703. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692013000300007
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-1169201300...
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In this perspective, it is important to consider future projects for nursing practice that is sensitive to the SDH of homeless adolescents, which cover the political, epistemological, and technical levels, inside and outside the health system. Nursing as a social practice proposes to understand and meet the needs of homeless adolescents, both individually and collectively, promoting their development and ensuring human dignity.

Our study had limitations, as data collection on the streets is a challenging process due to the mobility of adolescents and places of difficult access. Our study included convenience sampling, which does not allow the generalization of results.

Our study contributes to expanding the nursing and health knowledge and practice as it analyzed vulnerable populations, supporting the development of public policies for homeless adolescents, which guarantee, in the legal field, social rights, that is, the right to education, health, food, work, housing, leisure, security, social security, maternity and childhood protection. Our study also promotes reflections on new and more inclusive policies for adolescents, which allow them to be recognized as subjects of rights, requiring protection according to the law.

Conclusion

Our study helps understand the context of homeless adolescents, their inequalities, and support the development of health strategies for equity and human dignity. Our findings show unique and challenging situations for adolescents, while promoting reflections for the provision of care to fulfill their health needs. In addition, our study attempted to highlight the inequalities of homeless adolescents aiming to build a health system with more equity, better performance of professionals, and treatment with more dignity for this population.

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  • *
    * This article refers to the call “Adolescent health and the role of nurses”. Edited by Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, PAHO/WHO Collaborating Centre for Nursing Research Development, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Publication of this supplement was supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Articles have undergone the journal’s standard peer-review process for supplements. The views expressed in this supplement are those of the authors alone and do not represent the views of PAHO/WHO. Paper extracted from from doctoral dissertation “Adolescents in street situation: understanding the context and the social determinants of health”, presented to Universidade Federal do Ceará, Faculdade de Enfermagem, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) - Finance Code 001, Grant # 141060/2018-2, Brazil.

Edited by

Associate Editor: Ricardo Alexandre Arcêncio

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    07 Nov 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    04 May 2022
  • Accepted
    25 July 2022
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