Prevalence and correlates of survival sex among runaway and homeless youth.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of survival sex among runaway and homeless youths.


METHODS
A nationally representative sample of shelter youths and a multicity sample of street youths were interviewed.


RESULTS
Approximately 28% of street youths and 10% of shelter youths reported having participated in survival sex, which was associated with age, days away from home, victimization, criminal behaviors, substance use, suicide attempts, sexually transmitted disease, and pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive and ongoing services are needed to provide resources and residential assistance to enable runaway and homeless youths to avoid survival sex, which is associated with many problem behaviors.
Greene
J M
JM
Health and Social Policy Division, Research Triangle Institute, NC 27709-2194, USA. jmg@rti.org
Ennett
S T
ST
Ringwalt
C L
CL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011477:Sex Work / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology