Abstract:
This study was a cross sectional descriptive study and consisted of three parts. Socio
demographic and some health information were collected during the first part using an
interviewer administered semi structured questionnaire. Second part of the study was a
clinical examination conducted to ascertain their health problems. A clinical examination
form was used during this part of the study. Third part of the study was done to assess their
emergence of hope qualitatively, by conducting focus group discussions. First part of the
study revealed that the mean age of children was 10 years. Majority of the children were
female. When the ethnicity was considered the majority was Sinhalese. Percentages of
Tamils and Muslims were relatively higher than the national figures for which the
underlying factors were not revealed. A most all of them were currently attending school but
the majority (34 percentage) were not in the age appropriate class in the school. Their
literacy level was relatively lower than the national figure. 32 percentage of them were
engaging in income generating activities. During the second part of the study it was revealed
that the perceived general health status was good for the majority of them. Skin problems
and oral health problems were common among them. Scabies was common. Main oral
health problems identified were carries teeth and gingivitis. There were visible signs of
emerging hope among them, which was at a lower level according to the analysis. The
children were found to be still suffering from the implications of the difficult times that they
have under gone under during the past. Therefore in conclusion the educational level was
low and the literacy level was relatively lower than the national adult literacy rate. And there
were some preventable health problems among them. Hence it is recommended to : Pay
more attention to improve their educational level, Literacy level and their employability;
Have comprehensive health educational program for the children as well as to the caretakers
in the homes; Implement community and family based interventions to empower the
children; Have programs to support them to overcome their mental trauma due to the past
difficult times that they have under gone.
