During the last decade, numerous studies have shown that several conditions, including HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, appear to occur more frequently among homeless persons than among those who are domiciled. However, few studies have analyzed the association of particular homeless living circumstances with HIV infection, HIV risk behaviors and other physical and mental conditions. For the purpose of this study, a total of 403 injection drug users (IDUs) were recruited in different poor neighborhoods within the north health region of Puerto Rico. The study sample was classified according to residential status into homeless IDUs living ‘on-the-street’, IDUs transiently residing in households and perceiving themselves to be homeless, and IDUs living in households. On-the-street homeless were more likely to be female (26.9%) than IDUs that perceived themselves as homeless (22.9%) and non-homeless IDUs (7.5%). A gradient of increasing risk of HIV infection was observed among IDUs according to residential status. HIV seroprevalence was 26.9% among on-the-street homeless, 17.1% among IDUs that perceived themselves as homeless and 11.8% among non-homeless IDUs. In addition, on-the-street homeless were more likely to use drugs more frequently, had sex for money or drugs, shared drug injection paraphernalia and visited shooting galleries to inject drugs. Nonetheless, IDUs that perceived themselves as homeless were more likely to use crack, reported more severe depression symptomatology, and had a lower perception of health compared to on-the-street homeless and non-homeless IDUs. Findings suggest there is an urgent need to develop AIDS prevention strategies targeted to particular groups within the homeless population.
Learning Objectives: Recognize the differences among sub-groups of homeless persons. Understand the relationship between homelessness and HIV risk.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Homeless
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.