This exploratory, descriptive qualitative study took place in May and June of 2006. The main purpose of this research was to discuss the context of vulnerability experienced by adolescents with street-life experience, with emphasis on their exposure to HIV/AIDS. Oral History was the method choosen for the recollection of data for this investigation, achieved through individual interviews that were first recorded and then transcribed. 12 adolescents were interviewed six female and six male participants - that lived in two shelters in a city of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The data demostrated that low education levels and cheap drugs exposes them to risks . Another aspect that was discovered, is that the use of condoms still seems to be contradictory. These factors increase the vulnerability of adolescents to HIV/AIDS& STDs, if we consider that the street environment does not provide conditions necessary for making informed decisions, adding to the fact that they are far from access to services and health professionals.
Health of the Adolescent; Vulnerability; Sexually Transmissible Disease; Qualitative research