title: HIV and hepatitis C knowledge among individuals with serious mental illness.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study examines knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among individuals with serious mental illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and thirty-six people answered questions regarding their knowledge of HIV and HCV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total correct score for the set of HIV items (79%) was significantly higher than the total correct score for the set of HCV items (70%). Although the majority of demographic variables were not significantly associated with knowledge, individuals who had been previously screened for HIV answered significantly more HIV and HCV questions accurately.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that there is a specific gap in knowledge about HCV among individuals with serious mental illness, suggesting the need for intervention development to increase disease-related knowledge.
authors: University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Psychiatry and Baltimore VA Medical Center, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. rgoldber@psych.umaryland.edu
authors: Richard W
authors: RW
authors: Goldberg
authors: Stephanie L
authors: SL
authors: Tapscott
authors: Christine A
authors: CA
authors: Calmes
authors: Rosemarie S
authors: RS
authors: Wolfe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology