Street-based female adolescent Puerto Rican sex workers: Contextual issuesand health needs

Adolescent sex workers potentially have many health needs but are included rarely in health assessments; therefore, little is known about their needs or how to reach them. This study examines the motivations, social context, and health needs of street-based adolescent sex workers. The results show t hese youths are more likely to experience negative health outcomes, such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, when they are using drugs or are depressed. These findings suggest the need for comprehen sive programming to include individual, interpersonal, and greater environm ental interventions. Examples for reaching adolescent sex workers are discu ssed.