HIV-RISK BEHAVIOR AND THE PUBLIC-HEALTH CONTEXT OF HIV AIDS AMONG WOMEN LIVING WITH A SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL-ILLNESS/

We documented HIV-risk behavior and the public health context of AIDS in women living with a severe and persistent mental illness. Sixty-one women were recruited from outpatient clinics and day-treatment progra ms at a state psychiatric hospital. They completed a survey that inclu ded measures of HIV-related risk behavior, the perceived importance of 11 public health and social problems including AIDS, HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, perceived risk, and behavioral intentions. Thirty-eight pe rcent of participants engaged in at least one type of HIV-risk behavio r during the 2 months before assessment, 23% reported two or more risk factors, and 16% reported three or more risk factors. Consistent cond om use was rare. Participants reporting 1 or more risk factors were mo re likely than those reporting no risk to report histories of alcohol or drug treatment, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV testing, and mor e perceived risk of HIV infection. Poverty and unemployment were viewe d as more serious problems than HIV infection and AIDS. HIV-prevention interventions that are tailored to the needs and priorities of women with a severe mental illness are urgently needed to prevent further in fections.