       Document 0122
 DOCN  M95B0122
 TI    Risks associated with long-term homelessness among women: battery, rape,
       and HIV infection.
 DT    9511
 AU    Fisher B; Hovell M; Hofstetter CR; Hough R; Center for Behavioral
       Epidemiology, La Mesa, CA 91941, USA.
 SO    Int J Health Serv. 1995;25(2):351-69. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95347920
 AB    The purposes of this study were to determine the prevalence of battery,
       rape, and HIV risk practices in a sample of long-term homeless women and
       to explore correlates of HIV risk practices. Fifty-three women who had
       been homeless for at least three months in the last year were
       interviewed at day and night shelters. The women were demographically
       similar to other samples of homeless men and women and had similar rates
       of drug use. However, a higher proportion of homeless women were exposed
       to battery (91 percent), rape (56 percent), and mental distress, and
       they had a smaller support network (three people). Eighty-six percent
       had been battered prior to homelessness. A positive association was
       found between HIV risk practices and the use of certain drugs and having
       a protector. A higher level of assertiveness was associated with less
       HIV risk. The study demonstrated that homeless women are at very high
       risk of battery and rape. Being homeless may require life-styles that
       increase the risk of HIV infection and transmission.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Battered Women/*PSYCHOLOGY  Ethnic Groups  Female
       Homeless Persons/*PSYCHOLOGY  Human  HIV Infections/*TRANSMISSION
       Mental Health  Middle Age  *Rape  Risk  Risk-Taking  Social Support
       Substance Abuse, Intravenous  United States  *Violence  JOURNAL ARTICLE
       REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

