Correlates of Hepatitis B Virus and HIV Knowledge Among Gay and Bisexual Homeless Young Adults in Hollywood

Abstract

Homeless gay and bisexual (G/B) young men have multiple risk factors which increase their risk of contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This study used baseline information from structured instruments to assess correlates of knowledge to HIV and HBV infection from a 267 young (18–39 year old) gay/bisexual (G/B) active methamphetamine, cocaine and crack-using homeless men enrolled in a longitudinal trial. The study is designed to reduce drug use and improve knowledge of hepatitis and HIV/AIDS in a community center in Hollywood California. Regression modeling revealed that previous hepatitis education delivered to G/B men was associated with higher levels of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis knowledge. Moreover, higher HIV/AIDS knowledge was associated with combining sex and drinking alcohol. Associations with hepatitis B knowledge was found among G/B men who were engaging in sex while under the influence of marijuana, who were receiving support from non-drug users, and who had been homeless in the last four months. While being informed about HIV/AIDS and hepatitis did not preclude risky sexual and drug use behavior, knowledge about the dangers of concurrent sex with substance use is important. As higher levels of knowledge of hepatitis was associated with more moderate drug use, early access to testing and teaching harm reduction strategies remains critical to reduce exposure and infection of HBV and HIV in this population.

Prevalence, risk factors and hepatitis B immunization: helping fill the gap on hepatitis B epidemiology among homeless people, Goiânia, Central Brazil

“…Many MSM have multiple sexual partners and use condoms inconsistently during sexual intercourse, behaviors that put them at increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, including hepatitis B 23,25 .…”

Unmet Physical and Mental Healthcare Needs Among Stimulant-using Gay and Bisexual Homeless Men

“…This cross-sectional study, which was part of a broader longitudinal randomized control trial (RCT) (Nyamathi et al, 2013), describes correlates of baseline unmet physical and mental health care needs of stimulant-using G/B homeless men in Hollywood, California. The longitudinal study was designed to assess the impact of two interventions on reduction of drug use, risky sexual behaviors and hepatitis A and B vaccination among G/B homeless men.…”

“…Among G/B populations, 63% of new HIV infections were among G/B men (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). While HIV rates vary based on sample, in one study of G/B homeless men, approximately 16.9% were HIV positive, 52.4% were hepatitis B virus positive and 29.2% were hepatitis C virus positive (Nyamathi et al, 2013). Among MSM who were homeless, 28.3% were HIV positive (Reback et al, 2010) which can influence physical and mental healthcare needs.…”

Impact of an intervention for recently released homeless offenders on self-reported re-arrest at 6 and 12 months

“…These programs have focused on reducing drug use among methadone maintained adults 12 , reducing substance use among homeless youth 13 , improving HBV and HIV knowledge 14 , and enhancing compliance with the HBV vaccine series 6 among men exiting jails and prisons. A focus on nurses educating ex-offenders about hepatitis and promoting the HBV vaccine is considered critical due to the risk of hepatitis with drug use and unprotected sexual activity.…”