Epidemiological and sociodemographic profile of the population in street situation in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre

The article`s purpose was to understand the sociodemographic and epidemiological profile of the homeless population of Canoas, a metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, in Brazil. To accomplish this homeless population census from Canoas, the information contained in the records of all users registered at Consultóriona Rua (Street Clinic) was used from the beginning of activities in December 2014 until July 2016. Totalizing that, 347 people were collected in the months of June, July and August 2016.84.4% are men, 55.9% self-described as white. Most 64.1% have incomplete primary education, with recycling as the main occupation in 20.6 % of cases. 36.1% reported being on the street due to the use of some psychoactive substance, being 62.0% alcohol users. 69.1% make daily consumption of psychoactive substance, 23.6% have some STIs, considering 14.6% carriers of the HIV virus. Get to know their specificities and needs according to the location in which they are inserted, will make it possible to create means, through public policies, to recover their sense of belonging, and provide their rights guaranteed by law, treating them with dignity.