Sexually transmitted diseases among psychiatric patients in Brazil.
Sexually transmitted diseases are still highly prevalent worldwide and represent an important public health problem. Psychiatric patients are at increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases but there are scarce published studies with representative data of this population. We sought to estimate the prevalence and correlates of self-reported sexually transmitted diseases among patients with mental illnesses under care in a national representative sample in Brazil (n=2145). More than one quarter of the sample (25.8%) reported a lifetime history of sexually transmitted disease. Multivariate analyses showed that patients with a lifetime sexually transmitted disease history were older, had history of homelessness, used more alcohol and illicit drugs, suffered violence, perceived themselves to be at greater risk for HIV and had high risk sexual behavioral: practised unprotected sex, started sexual life earlier, had more than ten sexual partners, exchanged money and/or drugs for sex and had a partner that refused to use condom. Our findings indicate a high prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted diseases among psychiatric patients in Brazil, and emphasize the need for implementing sexually transmitted diseases prevention programs in psychiatric settings, including screening, treatment, and behavioral modification interventions.
Epidemiology and Health Evaluation Research Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; FHEMIG - Hospital Eduardo de Menezes, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Maria Rita Teixeira
MR
Dutra
Epidemiology and Health Evaluation Research Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; FHEMIG - Hospital Eduardo de Menezes, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Lorenza Nogueira
LN
Campos
Epidemiology and Health Evaluation Research Group, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: drew@medicina.ufmg.br.
Mark Drew Crosland
MD
Guimarães
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Brazil; Psychiatric patients; Sexually transmitted infections