Drug use, sexual behaviour and HIV risk of the homeless in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
Data were collected from 88 homeless persons in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad to assess HIV risk. 68% of the sample were engaging in unprotected sex with multiple partners, 25% were exchanging sex for money, and 29.5% were regularly smoking crack cocaine. Many had two or more of these behaviours that put them at high risk of HIV infection. Females were significantly more likely to be sex traders, to engage in bisexual behaviour and to have a history of psychiatric illness. The relationship between psychiatric illness and HIV risk behaviours among homeless female persons is explored. Educational interventions are suggested to reduce the public health risks in this population.
Reid
S D
SD
Department of Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Mount Hope, Trinidad and Tobago.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology
D016578:Crack Cocaine