HIV Risk Factors for Persons with Serious Mental Illness

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1994

Keywords

Public Health, High Risk, Intervention Strategy, Mental Illness, Risk Assessment

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02188592

Abstract

HIV risk factors were assessed among 120 persons in treatment for serious mental illness. Although subjects had good general knowledge regarding HIV, many engaged in high risk behaviors. Condom use was infrequent among those who had multiple sexual partners, and sharing needles was common for those who used IV drugs. Clearly, factual knowledge about HIV was not sufficient to prevent risky behavior. Nearly half of the sample was categorized as at medium to high risk, and almost half of the participants, especially those at medium risk, underestimated their own level of risk. The results suggest that education and intervention strategies should focus on increasing the accuracy of the individual's risk assessment as well as changing attitudes towards condoms and improving skills in using condoms. Assessing personal risk and adopting risk-reduction strategies are the keys to successful AIDS prevention for persons with serious mental illness.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Community Mental Health Journal, v. 30, issue 6, p. 551–563

Share

COinS