Homeless Youth: Drug Use Patterns and HIV Risk Profiles According to Peer Group Affiliation

Research was conducted to identify subcultural peer groups within a homeless youth population and determine whether these groups differ with respect to drug use patterns and HIV risk. Using systematic sampling methods, 309 homeless youth (ages 13-23 years) were recruited from street and service sites. Drug use patterns and HIV risk profiles were found to vary according to group affiliation. Respondents in the punks and gay/bisexual groups were more likely to have a substance abuse disorder. Respondents in the "punker" group also were at increased risk for having unprotected sex and sharing needles. Respondents in the "gay/bisexual" and "hustler" groups were at increased risk for having survival sex. Yet, unlike the "gay/bisexual group," the "hustler" group was more likely to report being tested for HIV These findings suggest that outreach and intervention strategies may need to be tailored to the specific norms, values, and behavioral risk profiles of each peer group.