Document 0831
 DOCN  M9440831
 TI    Sexual activity and risk of HIV infection among patients with
       schizophrenia.
 DT    9404
 AU    Cournos F; Guido JR; Coomaraswamy S; Meyer-Bahlburg H; Sugden R; Horwath
       E; New York State Psychiatric Institute, NY 10032.
 SO    Am J Psychiatry. 1994 Feb;151(2):228-32. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/94127577
 AB    OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the frequency and types of
       sexual behavior among patients with schizophrenia and to assess the
       behavior with respect to risk of HIV infection. METHOD: Ninety-five
       inpatients and outpatients with a research diagnosis of schizophrenia
       underwent a series of face-to-face interviews to determine their sexual
       activity and correlate it with demographic characteristics,
       psychopathology, and medication side effects. RESULTS: Forty-four
       percent of the patients had been sexually active in the preceding 6
       months, and 62% of these had had multiple partners. Sexual activity was
       associated with greater general psychopathology. Having multiple sexual
       partners was associated with younger age, a lower level of functioning,
       the presence of delusions, and more positive symptoms. Of the sexually
       active patients, 12% reported at least one partner who was HIV positive
       or injected drugs, or both, and 50% had exchanged sex for money or
       goods. Ten percent of the patients had engaged in homosexual activity in
       the preceding 6 months and 22% during their lifetime; the frequency was
       similar among men and women. Consistent condom use was uncommon.
       CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of schizophrenic patients had
       recent histories of sexual abstinence, but an almost equal number were
       sexually active. Sexual activity was usually accompanied by behavior
       related to HIV risk. Sexual activity and having multiple partners were
       associated with certain measures of more severe illness. Younger
       patients were more likely to have multiple partners but were also more
       likely to use condoms. There is a need for aggressive prevention
       strategies with this population.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Ambulatory Care  Female  Follow-Up Studies
       Hospitalization  Human  HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/ETIOLOGY  Male
       Middle Age  Psychotropic Drugs/ADVERSE EFFECTS/THERAPEUTIC USE  Risk
       Factors  Schizophrenia/COMPLICATIONS/*DIAGNOSIS/DRUG THERAPY
       *Schizophrenic Psychology  *Sex Behavior/DRUG EFFECTS  Sex Factors
       Sexual Abstinence  Sexual Partners  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support,
       U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).