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Current Age, Age at First Sex, Age at First Homelessness, and HIV Risk Perceptions Predict Sexual Risk Behaviors among Sexually Active Homeless Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Diane Santa Maria

    (Department of Nursing Systems, School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Daphne C. Hernandez

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Katherine R. Arlinghaus

    (Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Kathryn R. Gallardo

    (Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA)

  • Sarah B. Maness

    (Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA)

  • Darla E. Kendzor

    (Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Lorraine R. Reitzel

    (Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA)

  • Michael S. Businelle

    (Health Sciences Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

Abstract

While HIV disproportionately impacts homeless individuals, little is known about the prevalence of HIV risk behaviors in the southwest and how age factors and HIV risk perceptions influence sexual risk behaviors. We conducted a secondary data analysis ( n = 460) on sexually active homeless adults from a cross-sectional study of participants ( n = 610) recruited from homeless service locations, such as shelters and drop-in centers, in an understudied region of the southwest. Covariate-adjusted logistic regressions were used to assess the impact of age at homelessness onset, current age, age at first sex, and HIV risk perceptions on having condomless sex, new sexual partner(s), and multiple sexual partners (≥4 sexual partners) in the past 12 months. Individuals who first experienced homelessness by age 24 were significantly more likely to report condomless sex and multiple sexual partners in the past year than those who had a later onset of their first episode of homelessness. Individuals who were currently 24 years or younger were more likely to have had condomless sex, new sexual partners, and multiple sexual partners in the past 12 months than those who were 25 years or older. Those who had low perceived HIV risk had lower odds of all three sexual risk behaviors. Social service and healthcare providers should consider a younger age at homelessness onset when targeting HIV prevention services to youth experiencing homelessness.

Suggested Citation

  • Diane Santa Maria & Daphne C. Hernandez & Katherine R. Arlinghaus & Kathryn R. Gallardo & Sarah B. Maness & Darla E. Kendzor & Lorraine R. Reitzel & Michael S. Businelle, 2018. "Current Age, Age at First Sex, Age at First Homelessness, and HIV Risk Perceptions Predict Sexual Risk Behaviors among Sexually Active Homeless Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-12, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:218-:d:128958
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robertson, M.J. & Clark, R.A. & Charlebois, E.D. & Tulsky, J. & Long, H.L. & Bangsberg, D.R. & Moss, A.R., 2004. "HIV seroprevalence among homeless and marginally housed adults in San Francisco," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(7), pages 1207-1217.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liesl A. Nydegger & Erin N. Benton & Bree Hemingway & Sarah Fung & Mandy Yuan & Chau Phung & Kasey R. Claborn, 2023. "Housing Insecurity and Other Syndemic Factors Experienced by Black and Latina Cisgender Women in Austin, Texas: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Chisom N. Iwundu & Tzu-An Chen & Kirsteen Edereka-Great & Michael S. Businelle & Darla E. Kendzor & Lorraine R. Reitzel, 2020. "Mental Illness and Youth-Onset Homelessness: A Retrospective Study among Adults Experiencing Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-13, November.
    3. April Joy Damian & Delilah Ponce & Angel Ortiz-Siberon & Zeba Kokan & Ryan Curran & Brandon Azevedo & Melanie Gonzalez, 2022. "Understanding the Health and Health-Related Social Needs of Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Photovoice Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.

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