title: Negative symptoms and HIV/AIDS risk-behavior knowledge in schizophrenia.
abstract: Schizophrenia sufferers have been demonstrated to have relatively poor HIV/AIDS risk-behavior knowledge and, as a group, are found to be particularly vulnerable to contracting HIV. The authors asked whether an association could be demonstrated between specific symptoms and differing levels of knowledge. A structured clinical interview and HIV/AIDS Risk Questionnaires were administered to 102 subjects, and a principal-component analysis was performed for global and individual items, followed by comparisons between factors. Three factors (negative, positive, and global thought-disorder) emerged as significant between poor HIV/AIDS risk-behavior knowledge and higher negative-symptom scores. Findings support the notion that existing educational programs should be adapted to target specific areas of deficit.
authors.affiliation: Ngaphakathi Workgroup, Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. psych@worldonline.co.za
authors.forename: Liezl
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Koen
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uys
authors.forename: Dana J H
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Niehaus
authors.forename: Robin A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Emsley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012725:Sexual Behavior