This study tested an intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors in a high risk impaired population: homeless men with mental illness. One hundred participants were recruited from a psychiatric program currently implemented in two separate shelters for homeless men located in Nashville, Tennessee. The majority were African-American, had a chronic psychotic disorder, and a co-morbid substance use disorder. In a comparison group clinical trial, men were assigned to an experimental cognitive-behavioral or a control intervention, and followed up over six months. The experimental intervention, Sex, Games, and Videotapes, SexG (Susser et al., 1994) was comprised of 6 sessions which were specially adapted to the culture and lifestyle of homeless men in Middle Tennessee. The control intervention was also a 6-session HIV education program, but it was more traditional in terms of method and content. Sexual risk behavior was the primary outcome. Repeated measures analysis of variance and covariance techniques tested intervention effects with regard to changes over time in outcome measures (Vee scores) for SexG and comparison groups. Specific contrasts comparing SexG and comparison group means at each follow-up point were conducted to assess program effects upon outcome variables. Participants in the SexG intervention, when compared to men in the control group, reported significantly greater declines over time in the most risky types of sex, namely unprotected penile-anal and penile-vaginal sexual intercourse.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: (1) assess sexual risk behaviors in a high risk impaired population: homeless men with mental illness, (2) articulate the components of an HIV prevention intervention focused on homeless mentally ill men, SexG [Susser et al., 1994], (3) Develop an HIV prevention intervention adapted to the culture and lifestyle of homeless mentally ill men in their community
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Homelessness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.