A PILOT HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS IN A PSYCHIATRIC-HOSPITAL

In a pilot HIV prevention program for 35 adolescents in a psychiatric hospital, patients completed assessments of their HIV-related knowledg e, attitudes, and behaviors before entering the program, at discharge, and three months after discharge. At discharge they showed significan t increases in knowledge, tolerance of people with AIDS, and self-effi cacy (or perceived ability to engage in safe-sex behaviors), although those who had been sexually abused showed significantly less change in self-efficacy than others, At three-month follow-up, scores had retur ned to baseline, but there was a trend toward increased condom use. Fi ndings confirm the need for HIV-AIDS interventions for adolescents in psychiatric settings despite barriers to implementation.