title: Knowledge about HIV in people with schizophrenia: a general population comparison.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with schizophrenia are at higher risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) positivity compared to the general population. Only a limited number of studies have evaluated the knowledge about HIV in people with schizophrenia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the knowledge about HIV between people with schizophrenia and the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The knowledge about HIV was assessed with a questionnaire used in the general health survey of the Belgian population in 2004.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with schizophrenia had a significantly better knowledge about nontransmissible contacts compared to the general population (43.2% vs. 32.6%, df=1, chi-square=11.0; p=0.0009). There was no difference regarding the knowledge about protective methods (50.7% vs. 55.9%, df=1, chi-square=2.45; p=0.12). Patients had a better appreciation about the severity and treatment options for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (54.6% vs. 37.9%, df=1, chi-square=25.91; p<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the overall knowledge about HIV in patients with schizophrenia is better than that of the general population, it is far from optimal. There is a need for systematic educational programs to improve knowledge.
authors.affiliation: University Psychiatric Center Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Campus Kortenberg, Belgium. marc.de.hert@uc-kortenberg.be
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: Leen
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trappeniers
authors.forename: Martien
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wampers
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Damme
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Hal
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peuskens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012559:Schizophrenia