HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) DISEASE IN PERSONS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESSES

Abstract

Extant research has found alarming rates of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in persons with severe mental illnesses (SMI), with seroprevalence rates ranging from 4% to 23%. However, persons with SMI have received less attention than any other group that has been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. As such, preventing and treating HIV in persons with SMI has been indicated as one of the highest priority research initiatives by the NIH Office on AIDS research. This article reviews current research findings and discusses the nursing research and practice implications for assessment, prevention, and treatment of HIV in this vulnerable population.