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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Mayur M. Desai, PhD, MPH¹, Robert A. Rosenheck, MD¹, and Rani A. Desai, MPH, PhD². (1) Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Ave, NEPEC (182), West Haven, CT 06516, 203-932-5711 x4728, mayur.desai@yale.edu, (2) Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, NEPEC/182, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516

Objectives: According to CDC guidelines, persons with serious mental illness (SMI) represent a population for whom HIV testing and counseling should be routinely recommended. We sought to determine the prevalence and correlates of HIV testing, receipt of results, and posttest counseling in a multisite sample of outpatients with SMI.

Methods: Random samples of male outpatients with SMI were interviewed at a VA hospital and two community mental health centers in Connecticut (total N=533) between 1996-97.

Results: Overall, 56.0% of the VA sample reported ever having been tested for HIV, similar to the proportion found in the non-VA sample (62.2%; p=0.17). Of particular concern, however, was the finding that only two-thirds of those who reported being "very afraid" of getting AIDS had been previously tested. Using multivariate logistic regression, we found that prior HIV testing was significantly associated with younger age, history of STD and liver problems, increased drug problems, and criminal history. Among those tested, nearly all reported receiving their HIV test results (97.2% of the VA sample and 94.9% of the non-VA sample, p=0.55); however, only 39.6% of the VA sample reported receiving any posttest counseling, compared with 56.2% of the non-VA sample (p=0.007).

Conclusions: Although the majority of patients with SMI had been tested for HIV at least once, a substantial proportion of those with self-perceived risk had not. Moreover, the vast majority of those who had been tested never received important posttest counseling. Greater efforts are needed to increase HIV testing and counseling among persons with SMI.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Discuss the need for HIV testing and counseling among patients with serious mental illness.
• Identify risk factors for lack of HIV testing and counseling among patients with serious mental illness.
• Suggest ways of improving HIV awareness among at-risk patients with serious mental illness.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation