Survival Outside Home: Sexual Behaviour of Homeless and Runaway Young Adults in Ghana

Abstract

Although homeless young adults are often seen on the streets of Ghana, little research had examined the nature of sexual behaviour among these homeless and runaway young adults. Due to the culturally sensitive nature of such studies in the Ghanaian setting, only fifty (50) respondents agreed to participate in the study. A thirty–five (35) item questionnaire, comprising of twenty-eight (28) closed-ended and seven (7) open-ended questions was used for data collection. The findings indicated poverty, inability of parents to cater for the young adult’s needs, peer pressure and lack of parental acceptance as the main causes of homelessness. Consequently, the findings also showed a trend of school dropout, teenage pregnancy and use of illicit drugs as effects of homelessness. These findings have implications for future studies, policy reform and care for homeless young adult.

Keywords

• Sexual Exploitation
• Homeless Young Adults
• Runaway Young Adults
• Teenage Pregnancy
• Rape
• Poverty
• Parenting
• Ghana