Health perceptions of the homeless: a survey of Buffalo's City Mission.

Several faculty members at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Nursing were interested in developing a nursing center in Western New York to serve the homeless population. The City Mission in Buffalo was selected as a site to conduct a survey to identify the demographic characteristics of one group of homeless subjects and their perceived needs. One hundred and twenty-four questionnaires were completed and analyzed statistically. The profile of the respondents was that of a young, single, Protestant white male from the Buffalo area with a history of local residence. A large proportion of the subjects perceived themselves as experiencing health problems. Both disease prevention and health promotion needs were recognized. The findings of this study were consistent with those of earlier studies including those completed in Boston, Massachusetts (1984). These data have served as a base for the provision of primary nursing interventions for this population within a nursing center model.