Hepatitis B and C Infections among Homeless Adolescents

The lifestyle of homeless adolescents places them at high risk for contracting serious illnesses. This study sought to determine the hepatitis status and predictors of hepatitis infection among 150 homeless adolescents. Each participant took a psychosocial survey and provided a venous blood sample....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Family & community health 2002-07, Vol.25 (2), p.28-36
Main Authors: Beech, Bettina M., Myers, Leann, Beech, Derrick J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adult
Demography
Female
Health risk assessment
Hepatitis
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B - epidemiology
Hepatitis C - epidemiology
Homeless people
Homeless Youth - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Risk Factors
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Sexual Behavior
Socioeconomic Factors
Teenagers
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:The lifestyle of homeless adolescents places them at high risk for contracting serious illnesses. This study sought to determine the hepatitis status and predictors of hepatitis infection among 150 homeless adolescents. Each participant took a psychosocial survey and provided a venous blood sample. Most respondents (95%) had engaged in sexual intercourse; approximately 36% indicated they had exchanged sex for food, shelter, or drugs. Youth reported a high rate of consistent condom use, however, 22% tested positive for hepatitis or C. Homeless youth should be considered a high-risk group for hepatitis B or C virus infection. As hepatitis vaccination programs have been targeted at school-based youth, most homeless youth are missed by these efforts. Targeted programs are needed to immunize this high-risk group.
ISSN:0160-6379
1550-5057
DOI:10.1097/00003727-200207000-00005