NCJ Number
136707
Journal
Journal of Adolescent Health Volume: 12 Issue: 7 Dated: special issue (November 1991) Pages: 500-503
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In Seattle, Washington, health care services specifically designed for street youth are offered at evening clinics located at central city sites.
Abstract
Each clinic is situated in an area where street kids congregate, and each offers free services one evening per week. Two of the clinics occupy facilities that are open during the day as low-cost health care facilities for central city residents. Another facility is located in a multiservice center for street youth operated by a private community service organization. From June 1982 through May 1987, 1,403 patients made 2,624 visits to two clinics, resulting in 4,904 diagnoses. Obstetric and gynecological concerns, sexually transmitted diseases, and dermatological complaints accounted for nearly half of the diagnoses. Requests for oral contraceptives and pregnancy testing constituted the vast majority of obstetric and gynecological services provided. Only seven cases of AIDS were observed in the clinic population. Problems encountered in AIDS education underscored the fact that youth knowledge of anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects of sexuality was no more advanced than that of other adolescents. The authors conclude that physicians treating street youth in both outpatient and inpatient settings need to be aware of their often neglected medical needs. They recommend the involvement of physicians in training in the provision of health care, since street youth appear to relate well to medical students and welcome the opportunity to share their personal and medical concerns with other young persons. 2 references and 5 tables