NCJ Number
138869
Journal
AIDS Education and Prevention, Supplement Dated: (Fall 1992) Pages: 14-23
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Typical characteristics of homeless street youth who are living marginally are described and related to the problem of street youth and AIDS.
Abstract
Street youth, ranging from infants to young adults, are usually homeless because of dire poverty in the home, rejection or abuse by parents or guardians, family alcohol or drug abuse, or a lack of space in which they can mature. This developmental context, as well as living conditions on the street, which often include malnutrition, street and drug use, make street youth particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. In addition, homeless youth seem more prone to engage in high- risk sexual activities because of their own drug or alcohol use, violently accelerated emotional maturation, ignorance, and exploitation. AIDS education should be carried out at several levels for this population, primary health promotion tailored to preinfected youth, secondary health promotion tailored to infected children, and tertiary health promotion targeted at the community. 19 references.