Predictors of self-reported sexually transmitted diseases among homeless and runaway adolescents

Path analysis was used to investigate factors associated with self-reported sexually, transmitted diseases among 569 homeless (and runaway adolescents in four Midwestern states. Youth were interviewed by outreach workers dire ctly on the streets, in shelters and in drop-in centers. Results indicated that family abuse was positively related to substance use, affiliation with friends who sold sex and time on own. Early family abuse indirectly increa sed the likelihood of self-reported sexually, transmitted diseases through time on own, substance use, friends selling sex, and risky sexual behaviors . Finally, substance use and affiliation with friends who sold sex teas pos itively associated with risky sexual behaviors, which in turn was related t o self-reported sexually transmitted diseases. No significant gender intera ctions were found for this model.