Prevalence of HIV infection among psychiatric patients in a New York City men's shelter.

Abstract

We report on the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among psychiatric patients in a New York City shelter for homeless men. We reviewed the records of all 90 men discharged from the shelter psychiatry program to community housing over a 2-year period. HIV serostatus was recorded for 62 of the 90 men. Of these 62, 12 (19.4%) were positive. There were 28 men whose serostatus was not recorded. Data on the HIV risk behaviors of these 28 men suggested that seroprevalence could have been similarly high among them. The results indicate an urgent need to develop and apply preventive interventions for HIV in this population.

Psychiatric Complications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

“…Prevalence of new onset psychosis in HIV-infected patients ranges from 0.5% to 15% (Sewell et al, 1994) and seroprevalence studies of patients with psychoses have shown 5-20% to be HIV positive (Cournos et al, 1991;Susser et al, 1993;Stefan and Catalan, 1995). It appears that psychosis in HIV patients is associated with a higher mortality rate than that in HIV patients without psychotic symptoms (Sewell et al, 1994).…”

Homelessness and HIV Risk Behaviors among Injection Drug Users

“…Numerous studies have found elevated prevalence rates of HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in homeless populations, [3][4][5][6][7] and substance abuse, particularly injection drug use, was repeatedly identified as a characteristic associated with a higher likelihood of HIV infection among homeless populations. [8][9][10][11] High degrees of both HIV infection and HIV-related risk behaviors among the homeless population have showcased homeless settings as key targets for HIV services that provide care and prevent further transmission of the virus.…”

“…[8][9][10][11] High degrees of both HIV infection and HIV-related risk behaviors among the homeless population have showcased homeless settings as key targets for HIV services that provide care and prevent further transmission of the virus. [3][4][5][6]12 Fewer studies looked at these outcomes among samples of IDUs that included both homeless and nonhomeless persons, designs that permit assessing whether homelessness itself is a risk factor related to HIV infection and related risk behaviors. Smereck and Hockman 13 find that on-the-street homeless persons in a sample of drug injectors and cocaine smokers had a 19% rate of HIV infection, which was significantly higher than the 11.2% rate of the study population as a whole (including sheltered and other persons who were unstably housed but not living on the streets).…”

Spirituality, Coping, and HIV Risk and Prevention in a Sample of Severely Mentally Ill Puerto Rican Women

“…36 The prevalence of homelessness among SMI persons may be as high as 45%, 37 while the prevalence of HIV infection among SMI homeless persons has been found to be as high as 19%. 38 Sexual relationships in these circumstances are often transient, casual, and may be offered in exchange for shelter and/or food. 39 Religiosity, Spirituality, and Coping Spiritual and religious practices and beliefs are important to some Hispanic groups.…”