Health and Life Problems of Homeless Men and Women in the Southeast

Homelessness in America is on the rise. Cities across the United States have been targeted in studies documenting the prevalence, health needs, and socioeconomic status of the "new" homeless. Southern cities have been noticeably underrepresented in these reports. The purpose of this exploratory, descriptive study was to identify the health needs and life situations of the homeless population in Columbia, South Carolina. Adult participants were interviewed at homeless shelters, public parks, and soup kitchens. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to increase reliability and to portray a comprehensive picture of this diverse population. An interview guide was designed to help interviewers elicit the experience of homelessness including the needs of women and children. Outcomes paralleled findings of previous studies supporting the commonality of the homeless experience across geographic areas. Among the 157 respondents, 41 (26.1%) were women living in shelters or on the street. Minorities were well represented, with 67.5% of the sample composed of African Americans and .6% composed of Spanish Americans. Reasons for homelessness were expressed as a combination of factors such as loss of a job, family problems, or health problems. Of those who disclosed abuse histories (n = 59), 73.8% stated that this had occurred before becoming homeless. Implications for the development of innovative community nursing systems to meet the needs of this population are addressed.