title: Psychiatric patients and HIV infection: a new population at risk?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assess the evidence that psychiatric patients are at increased risk of infection with HIV and discuss some of the clinical implications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys of HIV seroprevalence and risk behaviours among psychiatric patients were obtained from a manual and computer search (Medline and AIDSline).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most studies report an increased prevalence of HIV infection among psychiatric patients compared to the general population. Risk behaviours, and obstacles to risk reduction, are identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a strong case for investigating the seroprevalence of HIV in psychiatric settings in the UK. Issues relating to HIV and AIDS are likely to assume increasing importance in general psychiatric practice.
authors.affiliation: Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stefan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catalán
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking