title: HIV seroprevalence in a facility for runaway and homeless adolescents.
abstract: In October 1987, the New York State Department of Health initiated a study to determine the prevalence of antibody to HIV in clients of a facility for runaway and homeless adolescents in New York City. A risk-assessment component was added in May 1988. As of December 1989, a total of 2,667 adolescents had been tested, and 142 (5.3 percent) were found to be HIV-seropositive (males 6.0 percent, females 4.2 percent). The seroprevalence rate increased from 1.3 percent for 15-year-olds to 8.6 percent for 20-year-olds. Hispanics had the highest seroprevalence rate (6.8 percent), followed by non-Hispanic Whites (6.0 percent) and non-Hispanic Blacks (4.6 percent). HIV seropositivity was associated with intravenous drug use, male homosexual/bisexual activity, prostitution, and history of another sexually transmitted disease. The alarmingly high prevalence of HIV infection in this selected population illustrates the immediate need for prevention programs for adolescents.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stricof
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Nattell
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Weisfuse
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Novick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D044469:Racial Groups; D012307:Risk Factors