Adolescents who seek, or are provided, services at shelters, residential centers or community-based outreach programs often come with histories of non-supportive environments, involvement in risky sexual and substance use practices, and runaway, homeless and street life experiences that broaden their exposure to HIV infection. The M.A.R.S. (Monitoring Adolescents in Risky Situations) project is a surveillance effort to describe the HIV infection risks of 14-21 year old youth living in group homes and short-term shelters. Results of a survey of 340 youth (34% female, 66% male) from 41 group homes and shelters throughout the state of Maryland will be presented. Results reveal that one in four youth surveyed have been forced to have sex, have been or have gotten someone pregnant, and did not feel loved or safe at home. Over one third of the youth have been physically hurt at home and over half have run away in the previous year. Four of five youth surveyed have had vaginal intercourse and one of four has had anal intercourse. Results also revealed that over 40% of youth surveyed have spent at least one night in the past year without permission at a boy/girlfriends place and hanging out all night with friends. Relationships between youths' past living experiences (including homeless/runaway experiences), familial support, "system" exposure, drug use, and sexual attitudes, behaviors and histories are explored.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify risk and protective factors of youth living in group homes and shelters. 2. List the results from a sample of youth living in high-risk situations. 3. Apply the lessons learned from the study's results to youth in similar settings
Keywords: Adolescents, HIV Risk Behavior
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.