Objectives: To describe ethnographically how a sample of street-involved young men who have sex with men (YMSM) accomplish the objectives of getting money, getting high, and getting shelter. Through these descriptions, we identify linkages between various features of the street economy that place youth at risk for disease, violence, and long-term involvement in street activities. Method: 52 street-involved YMSM were recruited from three venues where drug selling and sex work commonly occurred. Youths were interviewed between one and six times depending upon the phase of the project. Interviews focused on life history, sexual identity, service utilization, drug use, victimization, and sexual transactions.
Results: The primary categories of daily activities – getting money, getting high, and getting shelter – each consisted of more specific experiences and practical undertakings that had implications for risk. For instance, getting high required the youth to obtain paraphernalia, secure drugs, use drugs and find a safe place to hang out. Risk of arrest was present during all four of these activities, risk of violence was apparent while buying drugs, and health risks occurred in particular when injection paraphernalia was not available.
Conclusions: YMSM involved in the street economy face numerous challenges to remain healthy. Descriptive studies that focus on daily activities among street-involved youth yield important information about risk practices that may be of value to outreach agencies and health care providers.
Learning Objectives: NA
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Male Health
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.