HIV-risk behaviour and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among patients with schizophrenia
Abstract
Background. Recent literature has demonstrated that psychiatric patients, particularly those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, may be at high risk for HIV infection. In fact, HIV-risk behaviour, such as intravenous drug with sharing needles, promiscuity associated with unprotected sex and high-risk sexual activity after using drugs has been reported by a substantial proportion of mentally ill patients. Methods. In order to examine this problem in Italy, HIV-risk taking behaviour and knowledge about HIV/AIDS was investigated among 91 schizophrenic patients by using two self-report questionnaires (HIV-Risk Behaviour Questionnaire; AIDS-Risk Behaviour Knowledge Test). Results. One-third of the patients reported having been tested for HIV infection and one tested seropositive (prevalence 3·4%). A high proportion of patients reported HIV-risk behaviour, such as injected drugs use (22·4%) and engaging in high risk sexual activity (e.g. multiple partners, 58%; prostitutes, 45%; occasional partners, 37%). Condoms were ‘never used’ by 41% of the patients and ‘almost never used’ by another 25%. In spite of these behaviours, 65% reported no concern of HIV infection. Knowledge about AIDS was lower among psychiatric patients than a healthy control group. Patients with long-lasting illness and numerous psychiatric admissions were less acknowledgeable about HIV infection. Certain misconceptions on HIV transmission were related to HIV risk behaviour. Conclusions. These results indicate the urgent need for HIV educational programmes within mental health community-care settings.
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Fewer than half of individuals with SMI have been tested for HIV in the past year, with percentages ranging from 17% to 47%.
“However, studies investigating HIV testing rates among individuals with a SMI indicate that fewer than half of these patients (percentages ranging from 17% to 47%) have been tested in the past year (378-394).”
From Physical illness in patients with severe mental disorders. I. Prevalence, impact of medications and disparities in health care (2011) · cites this paper as [383]
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- Authors
- GRASSI, L., PAVANATI, M., CARDELLI, R., FERRI, S., & PERON, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Ferrara (IT)
- ORCID
- GRASSI, L.
- Venue
- Psychological Medicine
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press (CUP)
- Published
- 1999-01
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 171-179
- ISSN
- 0033-2917 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-8978
- OpenAlex
- W2065044344
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 0.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Institutional Research Information System University of Ferrara (University of Ferrara) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Keywords
- HIV risk behavior, HIV/AIDS knowledge, schizophrenia, psychiatric patients, intravenous drug use, unprotected sex, condom use, HIV testing, HIV transmission misconceptions, HIV education
- MeSH terms
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Adolescent, Adult, Attitude to Health, Female, HIV Seropositivity, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Predictive Value of Tests, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk-Taking, Schizophrenia, Schizophrenic Psychology, Sexual Behavior
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