High rates of homelessness among a cohort of street-involved youth.
Using multivariate logistic regression, we examined the prevalence and correlates of homelessness among youth enrolled in a community-recruited prospective cohort known as the At-Risk Youth Study (ARYS), between September 2005 and October 2006. Of 478 individuals included in this analysis, 132 (27.6%) were female and 120 (25.1%) self-identified as Aboriginal. The median age was 22 (IQR: 20-24). In total, 284 (56.9%) participants reported baseline homelessness, with most living either at no fixed address, on the street, or in a hostel or shelter. Factors associated with homelessness included public injecting, frequent crack use, experienced violence, having less than a high-school education, and not having been in any addiction treatment. Homeless individuals were at-risk for various adverse health outcomes. These findings indicate the need for additional interventions, including residential addiction treatment, to address homelessness and drug use among youth.
Rachlis
Beth S
BS
British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6.
Wood
Evan
E
Zhang
Ruth
R
Montaner
Julio S G
JS
Kerr
Thomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014754:Violence; D055815:Young Adult