HIV-risk practices among homeless and low-income housed mothers.
BACKGROUND
Knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its risk behaviors have not been systematically studied in homeless mothers. The identification of the factors associated with HIV-risk practices will guide interventions for low-income housed and homeless women.


METHODS
We interviewed 220 homeless and 216 low-income housed mothers living in Worcester, Massachusetts, to gather information on demographic, psychosocial , and HIV-risk practice characteristics. We used standardized instruments and questions drawn from national surveys. The primary study outcome was high HIV-risk behavior.


RESULTS
Although homeless mothers were more likely than low-income housed mothers to report first sexual contact at an early age, multiple partners during the last 6 months, and a history of intravenous drug use, homelessness was not associated with high HIV-risk practices. Both homeless and low-income housed mothers demonstrated misconceptions about HIV transmission through casual contact. Among high-risk women, approximately 75% perceived themselves as having low or no risk for contracting HIV. A history of childhood victimization, adult partner violence, or both placed women at a significantly increased likelihood of high HIV-risk practices. African American race, knowledge about HIV, and self-perception of risk were also significantly associated with high-risk practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Homeless mothers are a subgroup of poor women at high risk for HIV and should be targeted for preventive interventions. In addition, there are potentially modifiable factors associated with HIV-risk practices in both low-income housed and homeless mothers that should be directly addressed.
Weinreb
L
L
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655-0309, USA.
Goldberg
R
R
Lessard
D
D
Perloff
J
J
Bassuk
E
E
D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011203:Poverty; D011638:Public Housing; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior