RISK PROFILE OF HOMELESS PREGNANT ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH

Pregnant homeless young women have special service needs. This article examines those needs by comparing the risk profiles of 55 pregnant homeless youths and 85 pregnant youths who live with their families. These young women were seen in a primary health care clinic and underwent extensive lifestyle interviews during their physical examinations. Clinical social workers provided social services and follow-up. The homeless pregnant youths were younger, primarily white, and from outside Los Angeles County. They were more likely to be diagnosed as depressed, to have previously attempted suicide, to have histories of sexual and physical abuse, and to be diagnosed as drug abusing. Review of pregnancy outcomes showed the difficulty of serving homeless pregnant youth and the lack of services for them. Following this study, the clinic instituted new monitoring procedures and established a team case management approach to serving homeless pregnant teens and youths.