High-risk behaviors among male street youth in Hollywood, California

Abstract

High-risk sex and drug use behaviors are examined among 446 male street youth 14 to 23 years old in Hollywood, California (the area in Los Angeles County with the highest number of AIDS cases). Comparisons are made based on whether the sex behaviors occurred in situations of "survival sex" ("sex you gotta do") and "recreational sex" ("sex you wanna do"). Ninety-seven percent of the males were sexually active, with 27.1% involved in prostitution in the last 3 months. Involvement in prostitution is most common among older, gay identified males. The most prevalent risk factors seen among this group include inconsistent condom use (which also varies by social situation), high-risk sexual behaviors during both survival and recreational sex, large numbers of sexual partners, intravenous drug use, and the use of drugs and alcohol during all sex.