title: HIV risk behaviour among psychiatric inpatients: results from a hospital-wide screening study in southern India.
abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviour among psychiatric inpatients in India. Consecutive inpatients (n = 618) were assessed using a structured interview and standardized measures. Women were more likely to be sexually active (50%) than men (36%), but equally likely (6% vs 5%) to engage in risky behaviour. Common risk behaviours included having a risky partner, having multiple partners, and exchanging money for sex. Being sexually active was associated with younger age, being married, being diagnosed with a disorder other than schizophrenia, and a history of drug use problems. Engaging in risky sexual behaviour was associated with being male, using tobacco and screening positive for either drug use or alcohol problems. Screening psychiatric patients for HIV risk behaviour can identify those who may benefit from risk reduction programmes.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India 560029. prabhchandra@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Prabha S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Kate B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: P S D V
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Prasada Rao
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Jairam
authors.forename: Tinku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006306:Health Surveys; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior