Psychosocial Predictors of HIV/AIDS Risk Behaviours in Nepalese Street Youth

Summary

Around 30,000 street youth here are especially vulnerable to HIV as they share characteristics with and closely interact with higher risk groups. While international studies of street youth have surfaced important demographic, historical, and severity of homelessness predictors, modifiable psychosocial predictors have not been identified in this population. Due to the interpersonal nature of HIV transmission and to the complex intertwined social networks of these youth, consideration of such factors is essential. The objectives of this paper are to establish whether modifiable psychosocial constructs independently predict behavioral risk for HIV in Nepalese street adolescents, and to make street- and culturally sensitive recommendations for reducing their exposure to the HIV virus.