Brittany Barker1,2, Scott E Hadland3,4, Huiru Dong1,5, Kate Shannon6,7, Thomas Kerr1,6, Kora DeBeck1,8. 1. British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe St., Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2. Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Program, University of British Columbia, Room 270 - 2357 Main Mall, H. R. MacMillan Building, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, 850 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA, USA. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, 88 East Newton Street, Vose Hall, Room 322, Boston, MA, USA. 5. School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 E Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 6. Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, #667-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 7. Gender and Sexual Health Initiative, St. Paul's Hospital, #608-1081 Burrard St., Vancouver, BC, Canada. 8. School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The risks of suicidality among street-involved youth who use drugs and engage in sex work are not well described. This study sought to evaluate if street-involved youth who engage in sex work were at an elevated risk for attempting suicide. METHODS: Data were derived from the At-Risk Youth Study, a prospective cohort of street-involved youth who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Multivariable generalized estimating equation analyses were employed to examine whether youth who engaged in sex work were at elevated risk of attempting suicide, controlling for possible confounders. RESULTS: Between September 2005 and May 2015, 1210 youth were recruited into the cohort, of whom, 173 (14.3%) reported recently attempting suicide at some point during the study period. In multivariable analysis, youth who engaged in sex work were significantly more likely to report a recent suicide attempt (adjusted odds ratio = 1.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.91). CONCLUSIONS: Street-involved youth who engage in sex work were observed to be at a significantly higher risk for suicidality. Systematic discrimination and unaddressed trauma may contribute to the observed increased burden of suicidality among this population. Interventions that support the mental health and well-being of street-involved youth who engage in sex work are urgently needed.
BACKGROUND: The risks of suicidality among street-involved youth who use drugs and engage in sex work are not well described. This study sought to evaluate if street-involved youth who engage in sex work were at an elevated risk for attempting suicide. METHODS: Data were derived from the At-Risk Youth Study, a prospective cohort of street-involved youth who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada. Multivariable generalized estimating equation analyses were employed to examine whether youth who engaged in sex work were at elevated risk of attempting suicide, controlling for possible confounders. RESULTS: Between September 2005 and May 2015, 1210 youth were recruited into the cohort, of whom, 173 (14.3%) reported recently attempting suicide at some point during the study period. In multivariable analysis, youth who engaged in sex work were significantly more likely to report a recent suicide attempt (adjusted odds ratio = 1.93; 95% confidence interval: 1.28-2.91). CONCLUSIONS: Street-involved youth who engage in sex work were observed to be at a significantly higher risk for suicidality. Systematic discrimination and unaddressed trauma may contribute to the observed increased burden of suicidality among this population. Interventions that support the mental health and well-being of street-involved youth who engage in sex work are urgently needed.
Authors: David P Bernstein; Judith A Stein; Michael D Newcomb; Edward Walker; David Pogge; Taruna Ahluvalia; John Stokes; Leonard Handelsman; Martha Medrano; David Desmond; William Zule Journal: Child Abuse Negl Date: 2003-02
Authors: Scott E Hadland; Evan Wood; Huiru Dong; Brandon D L Marshall; Thomas Kerr; Julio S Montaner; Kora DeBeck Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2015-08-03 Impact factor: 7.124