Knowledge About AIDS Among Psychiatric Inpatients
Abstract
Our study suggests that people with major psychiatric illnesses can learn about AIDS and that the attempts of inpatient staffs to reach them could be improved. Our task force is now addressing with renewed vigor the issue of department-wide AIDS education for patients. These efforts include the selection of appropriate printed and video teaching materials and the development of group and one to-one teaching sessions and department-wide staff education.
An increase in AIDS knowledge does not guarantee changes in behavior or the cessation of activities that can spread HIV (4). Nonethe less, psychiatric services must con siden how they can best integrate AIDS education into their inpatient and outpatient programs. As the epidemic grows, and more inpatient
psychiatric facilities—particularly those that specialize in longterm treatment—grapple with the thorny issue of how best to stem the spread of HIV within their institutions, it would be shameful if hu mane and relatively simple meas ures such as providing education, condoms, and adequate staffing are overlooked in favor of mandatory antibody testing and segregation, which have been seriously considered in California.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
