Gender differences in seeking care for hepatitis C in Australia

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.