The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58196

Michael B Blank, PhD¹, Kathleen Brady, MD², and Trevor Hadley, PhD¹. (1) Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-349-8488, mblank2@mail.med.upenn.edu, (2) Philadelphia Department of Public Health/Univ. of Pennsylvania, 123 S. Broad St., 23 Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

This study determined the modes of transmission of HIV infection associated with serious mental illness (SMI). It was a cross-sectional study which merged the Medicaid claims data, the welfare recipient files for fiscal years 1994 through 1996, and the Center for Disease Control’s HIV/AIDS Reporting System in the City of Philadelphia. The three data sets were crossed to test differences between self-reported mode of HIV transmission for those in the AIDS registry, using a cross with the Medicaid claims to identify those with a co-morbid diagnosis of SMI. The primary modes of transmission were reported to be sex with MSM, IV drug use, a combined variable of sex with MSM and IV drug use, heterosexual sex for males, and heterosexual sex for females. Results indicated that after controlling for age, race, and other diagnoses, the odds of transmitting the HIV infection through sex with MSM was not significantly different for people with schizophrenia or affective disorder than for others. The odds of HIV transmission via IDU for people with affective disorder was significantly higher at 1.27; the odds of transmission by both sex with MSM and IDU given a diagnosis of schizophrenia was significantly higher than for others at 1.97. Heterosexual transmission for both males and females was more than one and one half times as great as for others, but these coefficients were not significant due to small numbers after stratification.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• 1. List risk factors for HIV transmission among persons with mental illness."
• 2. Articulate the differences in modes of transmission among those with mental illness and other risk groups."
• 3. Develop a plan for prevention of HIV transmission among persons with mental illness comorbidity.

Keywords: Mental Illness, HIV Risk Behavior

Related Web page: www.uphs.upenn.edu/cmhpsr/

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.