Knowledge about HIV transmission and prevention among Italian patients with psychiatric disorders.
For a study designed to examine the accuracy of information about HIV transmission, risk behavior, and preventive measures among individuals with psychiatric disorders in Italy, 214 psychiatric patients-114 outpatients and 100 inpatients-and 88 nonpsychiatric patients completed the AIDS Risk Behavior Knowledge Test. Levels of knowledge were lower among psychiatric patients than among control subjects. Patients with chronic illness and a diagnosis of schizophrenia were found to have less knowledge than other patients about HIV transmission. These findings confirm the need for HIV-related educational and behavior-modification programs for patients with chronic and severe mental illness in the community in Italy.
Grassi
L
L
Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. luigi.grassi@unife.it
Biancosino
B
B
Righi
R
R
Finotti
L
L
Peron
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires