Faculty Collaboration Database

Use of a brief behavioral skills intervention to prevent HIV infection among chronic mentally ill adults. Psychiatr Serv 1995 Mar;46(3):275-80

Date

03/01/1995

Pubmed ID

7796217

DOI

10.1176/ps.46.3.275

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0028944638 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   119 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Research shows that many chronic psychiatric patients are at risk for infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study investigated the effects of a behavioral skills training program designed to prevent HIV infection among chronic mentally ill adults living in an inner-city area.

METHODS: Twenty-seven men and 25 women were randomly assigned either to a four-session AIDS prevention program emphasizing risk education, sexual assertiveness, condom use, risk-related behavioral self-management, and problem-solving skills or to a waiting-list group, who later received the same intervention.

RESULTS: Compared with the waiting-list control group, participants in the prevention program demonstrated significant gains in AIDS-related knowledge and intentions to change risk behaviors. The prevention program also significantly reduced rates of unprotected sexual intercourse and increased the use of condoms over a one-month follow-up period. A subset of participants who provided two-month follow-up data maintained some behavior changes.

CONCLUSIONS: A relatively brief, skills-focused AIDS prevention program for chronic psychiatric patients produced reductions in HIV risk behaviors. Such HIV risk reduction intervention programs may be of use in inpatient, outpatient, and community-based settings.

Author List

Kalichman SC, Sikkema KJ, Kelly JA, Bulto M

Author

Jeffrey A. Kelly PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Behavior Therapy
Chronic Disease
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
HIV Infections
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Care Team
Personality Disorders
Psychotherapy, Brief
Psychotic Disorders
Sexual Behavior
Treatment Outcome