Impact of Nursing Intervention on Decreasing Substances Among Homeless Youth

¶ … Health Risks Across the Life Span: Impact of Nursing Intervention on Decreasing Substances Among Homeless Youth

Statistical data shows that an estimated 1.2 million people from ages 11 to 19 live without any shelter. Usage of alcohol (mainly binge drinking and methamphetamine) is very common among these homeless adolescents, they are observed to consume these substances more frequently and in greater amounts as compared to the youth that is not homeless. The main reasons behind high consumption of addictive substances by homeless youth is social (peer)pressure that prevails in the lower strata of United States' population. In order to reduce the consumption of alcohol and other drugs among the poor population, Health Promotion Program was started by nurses and in the article to follow; we'll view the impacts of this campaign in detail.

The main outcomes of substance abuse among the homeless teenagers results in:

Lower rates of condom use

High risk of unwanted pregnancy

HIV / AIDS, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and other sexually transmitted diseases

However, according to the targeted population, the rationale for consuming drugs and alcohol is to stay awake overnight to guard their belongings or to distract themselves from the stress.

As suggested by Nyamathi et al. (2012), the use of such drugs due to above stated reasons leads to criminal activity and prostitution (survival sex) and other such unlawful activities. It also affects the health of the people greatly and tends to influence other aspects of the user's life negatively.

Population- Focussed Intervention Employed by Public Health Nurses

Similar to the nurse-led Health Promotion Program (HPP), several other interventions were also started to decrease usage of drugs among homeless youth, among which only few produced successful outcomes. Among the many areas covered by the campaign were health promotion, peer mentoring, case management, brief motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural interventions, living skills training and supportive housing. The sexual-health promotional intervention also led to improved STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) awareness. Because of the campaigns, the mental well-being of the homeless people improved, they felt connected to the community as their social network strengthened and loneliness decreased. The teenagers became more knowledgeable about their surroundings and also reduced the use of alcohol and drugs.

The Health Promotion Programme along with the HIV / AIDS program led by the nurses was so far the most effective intervention, as suggested by Nyamathi et al. Having been organized by a research nurse, as explained in the article, the HPP campaign included STD introduction group sessions, training sessions including motivational and self-management classes, training in prevention techniques of STDs, making vaccinations available to the homeless, as well as reducing drug and alcohol use. Through this campaign, relationships were also encouraged and social networks enhanced through social activities.