Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in people with severe mental illness

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) Vol. 91; no. 1; pp. 31 - 37
• Main Authors: Rosenberg, SD, Goodman, LA, Osher, FC, Swartz, MS, Essock, SM, Butterfield, MI, Constantine, NT, Wolford, GL, Salyers, MP
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Am Public Health Assoc 01.01.2001; American Public Health Association
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; AIDS; Bipolar disorder; Comorbidity; Female; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C virus; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - virology; Mentally ill people; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Public health; Risk Factors; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sexual Behavior; Socioeconomic factors; Studies; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; United States - epidemiology; USA; USA, Connecticut; USA, Maryland; USA, New Hampshire; USA, North Carolina; United States
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.91.1.31

This study assessed seroprevalence rates of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among individuals with severe mental illness. Participants (n = 931) were patients undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment in Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, or North Carolina. The prevalence of HIV infection in this sample (3.1%) was approximately 8 times the estimated US population rate but lower than rates reported in previous studies of people with severe mental illness. Prevalence rates of HBV (23.4%) and HCV (19.6%) were approximately 5 and 11 times the overall estimated population rates for these infections, respectively. Elevated rates of HIV, HBV, and HCV were found. Of particular concern are the high rates of HCV infection, which are frequently undetected. Individuals with HCV infection commonly fail to receive appropriate treatment to limit liver damage and unknowingly may be a source of infection to others.