Journal of Social Development in Africa (1997),12, 2, 61-73 AIDS-risk Patterns and Knowledge of the Disease Among Street Children in

mY/AIDS is perhaps the fastest growing worldwide health concern today. Universally, adolescents have been identified as a group at high risk of mv infection (Richter & Swart-Kruger, 1995). Very little infonnation is available on the lifestyles, health and rate ofmV infection among street children in Zimbabwe. Isolated studies focusing on street children have begun to emerge in some coWltries and show mv infection as an issue of growing concern. Our knowledge on the subject is still very limited. This report outlines the patterns of risk to IllY by street children in Harare, especially street boys, as well as outlining an assessment of their knowledge of, and attitudes towards the disease