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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Suzanne Wenzel, PhD, Joan Tucker, MA, PhD, Marc Elliott, MA, PhD, Katrin Hambarsoomians, MS, and Doug Longshore, PhD. RAND, 1700 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407, 310-393-0411, slwenzel@rand.org
There is little detailed understanding of the types and extent of violence, drug use, and HIV risk experienced by impoverished women, as well as the ways in which housing status might moderate these experiences. Findings from our study of impoverished women in Los Angeles County (based on over 400 interviews conducted to date) reveal a high prevalence of violence, substance use and abuse, and HIV risk behavior among impoverished women, with these rates being strikingly higher among sheltered homeless than low-income housed women. For example, preliminary results indicate that 74% of sheltered homeless vs. 40% of low-income housed women report having experienced major physical violence (e.g. beaten up, weapons threats) since age 18. Forty-two percent of sheltered homeless vs. 11% of low-income housed women report having experienced sexual violence (e.g., forced intercourse) since age 18. Sheltered homeless women also report significantly higher rates than low-income housed women of drug use (33% vs. 12%), drug dependence (29% vs. 2%), and alcohol dependence (15% vs. 2%). Finally, some HIV risk behaviors are more prevalent among sheltered homeless vs. low-income housed women, including prostitution (14% vs. 1%) and inconsistent condom use (91% vs. 85%). Findings highlight important differences between subgroups of impoverished women and suggest a profound need for services.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.