A snapshot of homeless youth in Seattle: their characteristics, behaviors and beliefs about HIV protective strategies.

The purpose of this study was to determine how initial HIV prevention efforts for homeless youth were received and to determine areas where homeless youth's beliefs and behaviors continue to put them at risk for HIV infection. Interviews were conducted with 289 Seattle homeless youth. Youth reported using condoms with casual partners during vaginal and anal sex and with clients during oral, anal and vaginal sex. Condoms are often not used during vaginal sex with main partners or during oral sex with casual or main partners. Knowledge of HIV protective strategies differed according to youth's behavioral characteristics with heterosexual youth having the weakest knowledge of HIV protective strategies especially compared with young men who have sex with men. There is room for improvement in youth's knowledge and beliefs about HIV.