title: Sex and relationships on the street: how homeless men judge partner risk on Skid Row.
abstract: Homeless men in the U.S. represent a large and growing population, and have elevated rates of HIV/AIDS and sexual risk behaviors, including unprotected sex with women. We conducted qualitative interviews (n = 30) with homeless men using shelters and meal lines in downtown Los Angeles (Skid Row) to better understand how such men view the risks of sexual encounters with female partners. Men living on Skid Row perceived multiple risks, including HIV and unwanted pregnancy as well as emotional trauma, loss of resources, exacerbation of drug addiction, and physical attack. Respondents described using visual and behavioral cues, social reputation, geographical location, feelings of trust, perceived relationship seriousness, and medically inaccurate "folk" beliefs to judge whether partners were risky and/or condom use was warranted. Medically inaccurate beliefs suggest the potential utility of evidence-based interventions to change such beliefs. We also consider implications for relationships on the street and housing interventions.
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation-RAND Health, 1776 Main St., P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA. rbrown@rand.org
authors.forename: Ryan A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Joan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Suzanne L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Golinelli
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Wertheimer
authors.forename: Gery W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D055815:Young Adult