Importance of Sexual Health

Many youth we spoke to with lived experience felt that sexual health and access to sexual health care were important aspects of physical health care. Youth often expressed that access to sexual health care was inadequate for those experiencing homelessness. In particular, this is something many of them hoped would be addressed directly with health care providers. Some of the themes that were brought up in these conversations are summarized in the graphic below.

Themes around Sexual Health

Unfortunately, due to the sensitivity of these topics, it was often difficult for youth to feel comfortable talking about them in formal interviews on or off camera. This is an indicator of a larger cultural discomfort and stigma around sexual health and sexual activity in general. It is important to consider some of the above topics and how they intersect with the experiences of those who are homeless. Though we cannot hear directly from the youth, their voices can be heard through these broader themes.

Understanding the Impact

In a recent survey exploring the occurrence of unprotected sex among those experiencing homelessness in the past year, 62% of men who have sex with men and 97% of heterosexual respondents indicated they had unprotected sex during this time period. Lack of easy access to protection and safe sex resources may explain these high percentages. Contraceptive methods can be expensive and some require safe storage and administration on a regular schedule. Consequently, people experiencing homelessness are at high risk for unintended pregnancies; in one study conducted with women on the streets, nearly one quarter (N=229) of women surveyed were pregnant or had been in the past year.

People experiencing homelessness also have a higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when compared to the general population. The graphic below details some of the prevalence statistics.

STI Prevalence in People Experiencing Homelessness

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