Article

Comparison of HIV Risks among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Heterosexual Homeless Youth.

Department of Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University, 135 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Journal of Youth and Adolescence (impact factor: 2.72). 02/2008; 37(4):456-464. DOI:10.1007/s10964-007-9171-9 pp.456-464
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Youth who are homeless and gay, lesbian or bisexual (GLB) are one of the most disenfranchised and marginalized groups in our society. The purpose of this study is to examine and compare HIV in GLB homeless youth with their heterosexual counterparts. Participants for this study included 268 youth involved in treatment outcome studies with substance abusing homeless youth. Results suggest that GLB youth have greater HIV risks and that these risks are greater among bisexual females. In examining the predictors of sexual health risks, survival sex emerged as the most significant. Survival sex was high among females regardless of their sexual orientation and also among gay males. Implications of these findings suggest that a greater emphasis needs to be paid to preventive interventions among this population.

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Keywords

bisexual
 
bisexual females
 
females
 
gay males
 
GLB homeless youth
 
GLB youth
 
greater emphasis
 
heterosexual counterparts
 
homeless youth
 
Implications
 
marginalized groups
 
risks
 
sexual health risks
 

Rashmi Gangamma