Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108780

Angela G. Acosta, BA Candidate¹, Elizabeth A. Conlisk, PhD¹, and Kay Johnson, PhD². (1) School of Natural Science, Hampshire College, 893 West St, Amherst, MA 01002, 413-549-4600, aacosta@hampshire.edu, (2) School of Social Science, Hampshire College, 893 West St., Amherst, MA 01002

While a large part of the women's health literature in poorer nations focuses on squatter communities, street residents have been largely ignored. Street residence, however, implies a different degree of poverty and sociopolitical structures which may have considerable impacts on women's access to care, health risks and health status. This study is the first to explore the health concerns of street-dwelling mothers in the Philippines.

A comprehensive survey was administered to a convenience sample of 109 women meeting the following criteria: 16-44 years old, minimum 3 months current residence on Manila's streets, and having at least one child under the age of 18 within her street household.

During the presentation, results on their health status, risk behaviors and access to health care will be discussed. Some consideration will also be given to how and why their health profiles mirror or differ from street dwelling women in other developing countries. The discussion will be placed within the context of the structural and culture-specific causes of female homelessness in the Philippines.

Learning Objectives: