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Monday, November 15, 2010

Foster Kids More Likely to Contract STDs

Children in foster care are more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases, according to a new study from the University of Washington.

  • Girls were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as having casual partners or a high number of them, or accepting money in exchange for sex.
  • Boys in foster care did not show an increased likelihood of risky sexual behaviors compared to boys not in foster care.
  • Researchers used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health collected on over 14,000 children and young adults.

"If our findings are confirmed," the researchers wrote, "then health care providers for current and former foster youth should consider modifying their screening practices to reflect the increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases of this youth."

Labels: foster care, disease, sex

Posted By: Adoption Issues

Comments:

Kensington on 9/13/2010
It makes sense, since a lot of kids end up in the foster care situation due to abuse and other situations that can cause an STD. The older ones are more likely to act out, including sexually, too. I hope they do include this in the overview of medical tests and treatments. These kids deserve good health.