Public health survey examines sexual health of homeless youth in Halifax, Canada

A survey aimed at examining the sexual health practices of homeless youth living in urban areas of Canada recently focused on Halifax, Nova Scotia. According to CBC News, similar surveys, which particularly focus on the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), have been utilized in the country before, though not specifically in Halifax.

The news source reports that the study is of concern to Halifax public health officials due to the extreme likelihood of the city's homeless youth contracting STDs. They hope to use the data on what diseases those infected are specifically suffering from to better design local programs and outreach initiatives, ideally helping to stem the spread of the ailments.

Although the city does have resources for adolescents and children in such situations, such as the Phoenix Centre, which assists approximately 1,000 youths each year, officials acknowledge that it is difficult to reach their target group. Gaynor Watson-Creed, M.D., medical officer of health for Capital Health, states that this partially stems from these youths' attitude toward sex.

"They're often having sex for food or for shelter or for clothing - for basic necessities of life," she said, according to the news source.

In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends high-intensity behavioral counseling for sexually active adolescents and any adults with an increased risk for STD infection.