2017 Articles

An index to examine the sexual HIV risk of psychiatric service users based on sexual partners

Norcini Pala, Andrea; McKinnon, Karen; Wall, Melanie M.; Cournos, Francine; Guimaraes, Mark D.; Wainberg, Milton L.

Numerous studies report higher HIV infection rates among psychiatric patients than in the general population.1 Relative to other HIV-affected populations, they have higher rates of HIV-related risk behaviors in fewer sexual occasions, including multiple partners, partners of unknown or positive HIV status, sex in exchange for money, shelter or goods, and low condom use rates.2 We present a new HIV risk index (RI)3 that takes into account differential risk associated with these factors.