Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Butterfield, M. I. Articles by the Five-Site Health and Risk Study Research Committee, Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Butterfield, M. I. Articles by the Five-Site Health and Risk Study Research Committee, Gender Homosexuality Chronically Mentally Ill Patients Dual Diagnosis Patients Homeless Persons Addictive Disorders (General)

Blood-Borne Infections and Persons With Mental Illness: Gender Differences in Hepatitis C Infection and Risks Among Persons With Severe Mental Illness

OBJECTIVES: The authors assessed gender differences in hepatitis C infection and associated risk behaviors among persons with severe mental illness. METHODS: The sample consisted of 777 patients (251 women and 526 men) from four sites. RESULTS: Across sites, the rate of hepatitis C infection among men was nearly twice that among women. Clear differences were noted in hepatitis C risk behaviors. Men had higher rates of lifetime drug-related risk behaviors: needle use (23.1 percent compared with 12.5 percent), needle sharing (17.6 percent compared with 7.7 percent), and crack cocaine use (45.2 percent compared with 30.8 percent). Women had significantly higher rates of lifetime sexual risk behaviors: unprotected sex in exchange for drugs (17.8 percent compared with 11.2 percent), unprotected sex in exchange for money or gifts (30.6 percent compared with 17 percent), unprotected vaginal sex (94 percent compared with 89.7 percent), and anal sex (33.7 percent compared with 22.6 percent). Gender appeared to modify some sex risks. Unprotected sex in exchange for drugs increased the risk of hepatitis C seropositivity for both men and women. In the multivariate model, gender was not significantly associated with hepatitis C seropositivity after adjustment for other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Gender differences in the lifetime rates of drug risks explain the higher rates of hepatitis C infection among men with severe mental illness.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. D. Rosenberg, J. W. Swanson, G. L. Wolford, F. C. Osher, M. S. Swartz, S. M. Essock, M. I. Butterfield, B. J. Marsh, and the Five-Site Health and Risk Study Research Commi Blood-Borne Infections and Persons With Mental Illness: The Five-Site Health and Risk Study of Blood-Borne Infections Among Persons With Severe Mental Illness Psychiatr Serv, June 1, 2003; 54(6): 827 - 835. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. C. Osher, R. W. Goldberg, S. W. McNary, M. S. Swartz, S. M. Essock, M. I. Butterfield, S. D. Rosenberg, and the Five-Site Health and Risk Study Research Commi Blood-Borne Infections and Persons With Mental Illness: Substance Abuse and the Transmission of Hepatitis C Among Persons With Severe Mental Illness Psychiatr Serv, June 1, 2003; 54(6): 842 - 847. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2003 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us