Hepatitis B and C among veterans on a psychiatric ward.

Dig Dis Sci

Department of Psychiatry, West Los Angeles Veteran's Affair's Hospital, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, 1440 Veteran Ave. #601, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.

Published: June 2008

AI Article Synopsis

  • Hepatitis B and C are significant public health concerns, especially for psychiatric patients who may have limited healthcare access and risky lifestyles.
  • A study was conducted with 234 psychiatric veterans at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital, with 129 consenting to screening for hepatitis exposure.
  • Results showed that approximately 31% were exposed to hepatitis B and 38% to hepatitis C, indicating a need for targeted prevention efforts in this high-risk group.

Article Abstract

Hepatitis B and C are public health problems. Psychiatric patients may be at risk of hepatitis B and C exposure due to lifestyle and inadequate health care. We aimed to determine prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus exposure and associated risk factors in acutely hospitalized psychiatric veterans. A total of 234 individuals consecutively admitted to the psychiatric wards at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Hospital were asked to participate. A total of 129 patients consented and were screened for viral hepatitis risk factors, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface and core antibodies, and hepatitis C antibodies. About 31 and 38% of the patients had been exposed to hepatitis B and C viruses, respectively. Several risk factors were associated with exposure. Inpatient psychiatric veterans seem to have increased rates of hepatitis B and C exposure. This highlights the need for prevention of risk behavior in this vulnerable population.

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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-0045-5DOI Listing

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