FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH RISK FOR HIV-INFECTION AMONG CHRONIC MENTALLY-ILL ADULTS

Objective: Chronic mentally ill adults have been found to be at risk f or HIV infection. The authors investigated the prevalence of HIV risk behaviors among psychiatric outpatients. Correlates of HIV risk factor s and characteristics of patient relationships in which risk occurred were investigated. Method: Structured interviews were conducted with 9 5 chronic mentally ill adults from urban community support service pro grams. The interviews focused on sexual and substance use behavior, hi story of HIV risk behaviors, and relationship characteristics related to risk. Results: The study showed that 27% of all patients had had tw o or more sex partners in the previous year and 18% had received money or drugs for seer. High rates of illicit drug use were also found, wi th frequent use of drugs or alcohol in association with sexual activit y. Multiple regression analyses showed that use of illicit drugs, meet ing sex partners in psychiatric clinics, and meeting partners in bars accounted for a substantial proportion of the variance in HIV risk beh avior. Conclusions: These results suggest an urgent need for HIV preve ntion programs targeted at urban chronic mentally ill adults. Risk-pro ducing characteristics of patient relationships and social networks sh ould be addressed in the development of prevention interventions.