Community-level HIV prevention for persons with severe mental illness living in supportive housing programs: a pilot intervention study

J Prev Interv Community. 2007;33(1-2):121-35. doi: 10.1300/J005v33n01_10.

Abstract

Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are at risk for HIV/AIDS. Despite the availability of supportive community programs for those with SMI, there have been no published evaluations of community-level HIV prevention trials among this population. A pilot intervention trial was conducted to determine the feasibility of such an intervention in supportive housing programs (SHPs). A multi-component community-level trial was implemented in two SHPs with a total of 28 residents. Participants completed assessments at three time points: prior to the intervention (baseline), following skills training (post-assessment), and following the 4-month community intervention (follow- up). Results demonstrated significant improvements in psychosocial risk factors at both post- and follow-up assessments, with indications of sexual behavior change at follow-up. The community-level intervention appeared to reduce the risk of HIV among persons with SMI living in SHPs, and supports the importance of conducting larger scale intervention trials.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Community Mental Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Connecticut
  • Female
  • Group Homes*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / psychology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Preventive Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Preventive Health Services / supply & distribution
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychological Tests
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Social Support
  • Therapeutic Community