View article

Purpose: To describe the sexual health practices of homeless adolescents, examine relationships among variables in a conceptual model of sexual health practices, and determine direct and indirect effects of population characteristics, cognitive‐perceptual factors, and behavioral factors on sexual health practices among homeless adolescents.

Design and Methods: Descriptive exploratory design. A survey was administered to a convenience sample of 414 homeless young men (244) and young women (170) aged 16–20 years, the majority of whom were Anglo American.

Findings: Thirty‐five percent reported homosexual or bisexual orientation, and sexual orientation was reported as a reason for leaving home. Over half reported a history of sexual abuse and nearly one in four had been treated for gonorrhea. Safe‐sex behaviors were related to age, time away from home, assertive communication, social support …