Perceived social and health needs of the participants of the Mary Magdalene Home Alaska Program

This descriptive pilot study initiated data collection about the perceived social and health needs of adult women exiting prostitution through the nonprofit, faith-based Mary Magdalene Home Alaska Program (MMHAP). Literature review and key informant consultation revealed a lack of scientific data outlining these needs. Data collection occurred with 12 personal guided interviews utilizing a modified version of the Center for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) (2008b). The participants ranged from 30--49 years of age, mainly of African American or Alaska Native ethnicity, with below poverty income levels, and most entered into prostitution prior to the age of 18. A majority experienced mental, physical, and sexual abuse as a child, and nearly 100% experienced adult mental, physical, and sexual abuse. In conclusion, a comparison of study results to the literature, strengths/weaknesses of this research, suggestions for policy implementation and future research possibilities are discussed.