Housing status and HIV risk behavior: A prevention service model for homeless youth

Background: Homeless youth engage in more HIV high-risk behaviors than their housed peers. Research among adults indicates a relationship between housing status and risk behavior, implying that the level of risk in an individual's environment has an impact on their risk-taking behavior. This relationship is explored among youth through data collected by an agency serving homeless youth. The agency provides housing as a primary treatment modality, integrating HIV prevention services into existing housing and other basic service structures.

Objectives: 1) To provide evidence that unstable housing is correlated with high-risk behavior among youth. 2) To demonstrate that traditional HIV prevention services (e.g. education and counseling) are effectively delivered as an integrated aspect of housing and other basic services.

Methods: Intake and service data have been collected from over 1500 youth over the course of four years. The relationship between housing status and risk behavior will be assessed using reported living situation and high-risk drug and sexual behaviors prior to intake. This study will also examine patterns of service utilization as a measure of the effectiveness of integrated HIV prevention services. Data will be analyzed using chi-squared and t-tests to assess significance.

Results: Results will be available in June 2007.

Conclusion: Conclusions will be drawn when analysis is completed. It is predicted that this study will provide evidence for housing as an effective HIV prevention service, and that traditional prevention efforts can effectively be integrated in housing services.