Gender differences in seeking care for hepatitis C in Australia

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Title: Gender differences in seeking care for hepatitis C in Australia
Author(s): Temple-Smith, M.; Stoove, M.; Smith, A.; O'Brien, M.; Mitchell, D.; Banwell, C.; Bammer, G.; Jolley, D.; Gifford, S.
Abstract: Hepatitis C is among Australia's most common notifiable infectious diseases and the majority of those affected develop chronic illness. Management of other chronic illnesses has been shown to be most effective when gender-specific health education and support is offered. This paper examines gender differences in the health-seeking behaviour of men and women with hepatitis C. Data are from two separate studies, recruited largely from non-clinical sources, of women (n = 362) and of men (n = 308) with hepatitis C, conducted in Victoria, Australia in 2000 and 2002, respectively. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that included questions on health and use of medical services. Women without symptoms (47%) were more likely than men (18%) to seek hepatitis C care (p<0.001), to rate their health poorly (47% vs. 35%; p = 0.002), and to perceive discrimination from health providers (47% versus 40%; p = 0.009). Men (36%) were less likely then women (6%) to acknowledge needing medical support for hepatitis C (p<0.001) and gender was an independent predictor of seeing a doctor specifically for hepatitis C. Both male and female current injecting drug users were less likely than others to access hepatitis C care, with male injecting drug users (18%) significantly less likely than female injecting drug users (33%) to be referred to a specialist (p = 0.002). Results suggest that the impact of hepatitis C is perceived differently by men and women. Strategies to address primary health care issues for people with hepatitis C need to take account of both gender and the additional complications of current injecting drug use.
Publication type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Substance Use, Vol. 12, no. 1 (Feb 2007), pp. 59-70
Publication year: 2007
FOR Code(s): 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1701 Psychology
Keyword(s): Australia; Buprenorphine; Drug dependence; Health behaviour; Health care need; Health care utilisation; Health service; Help seeking behavior; Hepatitis C; Intravenous drug abuse; Medical specialist; Methadone; Patient attitude; Patient referral; Prediction; Primary health care; Sex difference; Social discrimination
Publisher: Informa Healthcare
ISSN: 1465-9891
Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14659890601010373
Peer reviewed