Prevalence and Correlates of HIV-Risk Behaviors among Homeless Adults in a Southern City

This paper aims to describe the prevalence and correlates of HIV-risk behaviors among adults receiving transitional and emergency housing services in Memphis, Tennessee. A cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey was conducted with a convenience-based sample (N=116) of homeless adults. Sex without a condom, sex while on drugs or drunk, and sex with an unknown person emerged as the three most prevalent HIV-risk behaviors. Sex while drunk or high on drugs was also assessed as a significant predictor for sex without a condom and sex with an unknown person. Multivariate logistic regressions revealed that mental health status, duration of homelessness, incarceration history, and sex while drunk or high on drugs were significant predictors of HIV-risk behaviors. Consideration of these important correlates in designing HIV prevention programs for this vulnerable sub-group of adults is warranted