Persons with serious mental illness: Attitudes and behaviors toward HIV/AIDS

As HIV infection has become pandemic, more populations are being studied to determine appropriate methods to intervene, and reduce the risk of infection. Persons with serious mental illness (SMI), however, have largely been ignored in this effort. This exploratory field study examined the knowledge about HIV/AIDS, attitudes, sexual behaviors, and behavioral intentions of persons with SMI, compared to a sample without psychiatric diagnosis drawn from the community, and matched for gender and educational level. In part, the study attempted to determine predictors for behavioral intentions to reduce the risk of at-risk sexual behavior. Protection-Motivation Theory was employed as a model to describe attitudes toward HIV/AIDS infection. Principal findings of the study indicate that a subgroup of persons with SMI are sexually active, and engage in at-risk behaviors. No differences were found in level of knowledge about HIV/AIDs between the two groups; both samples were relatively well informed about transmission routes, populations at risk, and medical facts, despite a significantly higher level of cognitive impairment on the part of persons with SMI. Unlike normative counterparts, persons with SMI are less concerned by the possibility of HIV infection, and perceive themselves as comparatively helpless in the face of the threat. Predictors of behavioral intent were not clearly identified. The need for empowerment in intervention methods is addressed.