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HIV risk reduction interventions for persons with severe mental illness
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53202, USA.
Clinical Psychology Review
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Intensive, small-group HIV prevention programs can reduce risky sexual behavior in severely mentally ill adults. Further research is needed to tailor interventions for sustained behavior change and specific populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- High HIV seroprevalence rates observed in severely mentally ill populations in urban areas.
- Mentally ill adults exhibit increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS due to specific behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the existing research literature on HIV prevention interventions for severely mentally ill individuals.
- To identify gaps in current HIV prevention research and suggest future directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HIV prevention programs and intervention studies.
- Analysis of studies using pre- and postintervention methods and randomized designs.
- Examination of research on risk behavior change in the target population.
Main Results:
- Intensive, small-group interventions show short-term reductions in high-risk sexual behavior.
- Interventions targeting knowledge, attitudes, motivations, and skills are effective.
- Significant gaps exist in tailoring, gender-specificity, sustainability, and intervention modalities.
Conclusions:
- Current interventions demonstrate short-term efficacy but require further development.
- Future research should focus on tailored, gender-specific, and community-level interventions.
- Developing sustained behavior change strategies and interventions for seropositive individuals is crucial.