Work

HIV Seroprevalence Among Homeless and Marginally Housed Adults in San Francisco

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We report HIV seroprevalence and risk factors for urban indigent adults. METHODS: A total of 2508 adults from shelters, meal programs, and low-cost hotels received interviews, blood tests, and tuberculosis screening. RESULTS: Seroprevalence was 10.5% overall, 29.6% for men reporting sex with men (MSM), 7.7% for non-MSM injection drug users (IDUs), and 5.0% for residual non-MSM/non-IDUs. Risk factors were identified for MSM (sex trade among Whites, non-White race, recent receptive anal sex, syphilis), non-MSM IDUs (syphilis, lower education, prison, syringe sharing, transfusion), and residual subjects (> or = 5 recent sexual partners, female crack users who gave sex for drugs). CONCLUSIONS: HIV seroprevalence was 5 times greater for indigent adults than in San Francisco generally. Sexual behavior predicted HIV infection better than drug use, even among IDUs.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.94.7.1207