Study: Homeless youth spread STDs using social networks

Recent findings indicate that homeless teens and young adults in Los Angeles use social networks, often to a negative sexual-health effect.

Conducted by researchers at the Universities of California, Los Angeles and Southern California, the study found that almost 80 percent of homeless youth use social networks like Facebook and Myspace.

Its authors came to two conclusions. First, homeless teens may use social networks to find anonymous sexual partners. This behavior was associated with a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Second, and running counter to the first conclusion, social network use among the homeless may increase awareness of sexual risks. The researchers associated social network use with a higher likelihood of having undergone STD screening.

The study concludes the social networks may contribute to improving or deteriorating sexual health, depending on their use.

Anyone concerned about STDs may look into sexual health screening options, like online testing services, as a way to determine the state of their sexual health.

More than 19 million new STD infections occur every year in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates.