Pregnancy among three national samples of runaway and homeless youth
Greene, J.M.; Ringwalt, C.L.
Journal of Adolescent Health Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine 23(6): 370-377
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 1054-139X PMID: 9870331 DOI: 10.1016/s1054-139x(98)00071-8Document Number: 279564
This study estimated and compared adolescent pregnancy rates among runaway and homeless adolescents in several settings. Data were obtained through 3 surveys: 1) a 1992 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) among a nationally representative sample with recent runaway and homeless youth experiences; 2) the first nationally representative survey among a multistage sample of runaway and homeless youth living in federally and nonfederally funded youth shelters; and 3) the first multi-city survey of street youth. Data were collected among youth aged 14-17 years in 1992. Findings indicate that in all surveys youth were usually pregnant only once, but many street and shelter youth had 2 or more pregnancies. About 10% of both street and shelter youth reported being pregnant at the time of the interview. Significant differences occurred by age among street youth and for length of time away among both street and shelter youth. About 50% of street youth had a pregnancy experience compared to about 33% living in shelters. Less than 10% of household runaway youth had a pregnancy experience. Differences in rates were not statistically significant. The findings are based on self-reports, a purposive street sample, and potentially duplicate reporting among street youth. The high pregnancy rates are attributed, in part, to the prevalence of sexual abuse and other related reasons. 21-60% reported sexual abuse, compared to only 3-12% among the general population. A strong need exists for preventive/prenatal services for runaway and street youth.