Homeless people and HIV/AIDS

Background

Homeless people have limited access to medical care which delays the identification of HIV and comordibities, impedes the resolution of behavioral disorder that interfere with risk reduction and treatment, accelerates the onset of AIDS and restricted health care access, despite their disproportionately high risk for HIV infection and transmission. It needs the optimum standard of care that's includes therapy and treatment.

Methods

The present study was conducted in Jakarta, Indonesia. Period of data collection was from February 2003 To January 2004(365 days). Out of this 260 days were taken as working days and per day on an average 20 drivers were interviewed individually. The truck drivers were contacted at five places which are the places of the biggest population of homeless people. On the basis of this sample size is calculated as = 260 × 20 = 5200 Total 5200 were studied. Further one year was taken for analysis.

Results

Majority (74,1%) were in age group of 15–25 years. 35.3% were illiterate. 51.7% had monthly income between 300.000–500.000 rupiah. Except 16.6% homeless all others didn't have family. 71% had sex before they were 15 years old. 59% out of total had history of sexual abuse. 57.1% of total homeless people never used condoms during sex with random partner. 48% of homeless people gave history of alcohol and drugs and 81.3% shared needles when using drugs. It was also observed that those homeless people of the age more than 25 years old visiting commercial sex workers and more than half of the male ever tried to have had sex with other men. Various types of addiction habits have been noticed in which alcohol, drug with mostly using syringes tops the list. STD history was found among 40% of them. Only about 300 knew about AIDS.

Conclusion

They have poor knowledge and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and so many misconceptions are also noticed. In addition, the needs for standard clinical practical guidelines for homeless patients to be one of top priorities beside the scale up of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) among them as one of the most vulnerable groups with a very high risk for the spread of HIV/AIDS infection.