Risky Sexual Behavior Among Patients in Turkey with Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, and Heroin Addiction

Abstract

Aim Risky sexual behavior associated with such sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as hepatitis B and C, herpes, Treponema pallidum, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is more frequent among psychiatric patients and parenteral drug abusers than the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate risky sexual behavior in psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia (SCH), bipolar disorder, and heroin addiction (HA), and to compare them with those observed in healthy controls. Methods The study group (N = 485; 234 females and 251 males) consisted of patients that consecutively presented to Bakırkoy State and Training Hospital for Psychiatric and Neurological Diseases in Istanbul and normal healthy controls. Main Outcome Measures The chi-squared test was used for comparisons between groups and categorical variables. One-way analysis of variance (post-hoc Bonferroni test) was used for demographic data. A 22-item questionnaire for collecting demographic, illness history, and sexual activity data, and a structured 23-item form for collecting data on risky sexually behavior were administered to the participants. Results In all, 10% of the participants had a positive history for STIs. The majority of risky sexual behaviors was observed among the HA patients. The frequency of being sexually assaulted and having homosexual acts among the SCH group were higher. None of the patients had a positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test result. The frequency of positivity for hepatitis B and C markers was highest among the HA patients. Conclusions The provision of information and training about all STIs and risky sexual behavior should become routine in the treatment of mentally ill patients, especially those that abuse drugs.

Tattoos, Piercing, and Sexual Behaviors in Young Adults

“…The evaluation of risky sexual behaviors revealed that individuals with tattoos or piercings do not engage in those types of sexual behaviors more frequently compared with adults without BM. As risky sexual behaviors are associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as hepatitis B and C, herpes, Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and HIV [18], our results do not provide grounds to perceive persons with tattoos and piercings as an STI‐risk group.…”

“…The participants were classified as engaging in risky sexual behaviors if they have had at least one of the following: multiple sexual partners and one‐night‐stand sexual relationships, sexual intercourse with persons known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, used a drug or had sex with prostitutes, sex with homosexuals or bisexuals, sex for money or drugs (a tendency to trade sex for material gain), failure to use or irregular use of condoms, used intravenous drugs and shared needles, and sexual activity while using alcohol and/or psychoactive substances [18].…”

Bipolar disorder in pregnancy and childbirth: a systematic review of outcomes

“…Female patients with psychiatric disorders seem to have more negative attributes with regard to sexuality and reproduction [11]. The complex picture of problems that women with BD face include: sexually risky behaviour during episodes of mania, health related risks for the mother and/or the baby, decisions regarding medication during pregnancy, as well as decisions related to unplanned/undesired pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections [12–16]. …”

Sexual violence cases in a hospital setting in Hong Kong: victims’ demographic, event characteristics, and management

“…Nonetheless, a history of alcohol or substance abuse was not always documented in the case notes. Patients having a certain type of psychiatric disorder-such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and heroin addiction-are more likely to adopt risky behaviour, 10 and hence are at higher risk of being sexually abused.…”