HIV-Risk-Reduction Intervention Increases Safe-Sex Behavior

Scientists at Syracuse University investigated the "efficacy of a 10-session, HIV-risk-reduction intervention with 221 women and 187 men receiving outpatient psychiatric care for a mental illness." "Patients were randomly assigned to the HIV intervention, a structurally equivalent substance use reduction (SUR) intervention, or standard care; they were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups," wrote M.P. Carey and colleagues.

"Patients receiving the HIV-risk-reduction intervention reported less unprotected sex, fewer casual sex partners, fewer new sexually transmitted infections, more safer sex communications, improved HIV knowledge, more positive condom attitudes, stronger condom use intentions, and improved behavioral skills relative to patients in the SUR and control conditions," the investigators reported.

"Patients receiving the SUR intervention reported fewer total and casual sex partners compared with control patients. Exploratory analyses suggested that female patients and patients diagnosed with a major depressive disorder were more likely to benefit from the HIV-risk-reduction intervention," the researchers concluded.

The report, "Reducing HIV-Risk Behavior Among Adults Receiving Outpatient Psychiatric Treatment: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial," appeared in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2004;72(2):252-268).

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