Sexual Behavior, Drug Use, and AIDS Knowledge Among Midwestern Runaways

• NCJ Number: 155366
• Journal: Youth and Society Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 450-462
• Author(s): G D Zimet; E J Sobo; T Zimmerman; J Jackson; J Mortimer; C P Yanda; R Lazebnik
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Sexual behaviors, drug use, and AIDS knowledge were examined among 108 runaways in Cleveland.

Abstract

The participants were a convenience sample from two shelters for runaways. Data were collected between March 1992 and March 1993. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire regarding sexual behavior, drug use, and AIDS knowledge. Results indicated variable rates of risky sexual behaviors, minimal use of illicit drugs, and high levels of knowledge about true behavioral risks for HIV infection. Findings also revealed that these runaways demonstrated less frequent health-compromising sexual behavior and drug use than runaways described in other studies. Therefore, it should not be assumed that all runaway youths are involved in unusually high rates of risky behaviors. Tables and 19 references (Author abstract modified)