Sexual risk behavior of individuals who search for treatment for severe mental disorders in Day Hospital and Rehabilitation Center of Instituto de Psiquiatria of HC-FMUSP, a cross-sectional study and intervention study

• Grant number: 13/17422-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Psychiatry
• Principal Investigator: Marco de Tubino Scanavino
• Grantee: Gabriel Eufrásio da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Individuals with a severe mental disorder (SMD), such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are more likely to expose to risky situations for transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), due to the severity of such morbidities, due to the perception of the stigma of mental illness by the patient, or the low level of knowledge about the modes of transmission of STDs. Because of this individuals with SMD present a higher HIV prevalence than the general population. We aim to develop two studies with a sample of individuals with SMD: 1) To investigate the presence of sexual risk behavior in association with a low level of knowledge about the modes of transmission of HIV / AIDS, psychopathological severity, and perceptions of stigmatization due to the diagnosis of mental disorder and 2) investigate the impact of psychoeducational group intervention on knowledge about the modes of transmission of HIV / AIDS and occurrence of sexual risk behaviors. Methods: Study 1: Cross-sectional study with 50 individuals with SMD, who will be evaluated through standardized instruments. The outcome is "sexual risk behavior" defined by not using condoms most of the sexual intercourse. The independent variables are psychiatric diagnosis, knowledge about the modes of transmission of HIV / AIDS, perceptions of stigmatization due to mental disorder diagnosis. Study 2: Interventional study. The top 30 individuals from study 1 will undergo psychoeducational intervention comprised of sessions on sexual themes, such as sexual anatomy and physiology, modes of transmission of HIV, sexual risk behaviors, and strategies to negotiate the use of condoms. After the sessions, participants will be reassessed by standardized instruments regarding knowledge about sexual health and frequency of sexual risk behavior. Methods: Study 1: a cross-sectional study with an estimated sample of 50 patients with SMD, which will be submitted to standardized instruments. The outcome variable is "risky sexual behavior" defined by not using condoms most of the sexual intercourse. The independent variables are psychiatric diagnosis, knowledge about the modes of transmission of HIV / AIDS, gender, age, perceptions of stigmatization by mental disorder diagnosis. Study 2: an interventional study. The Top 30 study 1 subjects will undergo psychoeducational intervention comprised of sessions with sexual themes, such as sexual anatomy and physiology, modes of transmission of HIV, sexual risk behaviors, and strategies to negotiate the use of condoms. After the sessions, participants will be reassessed by means of standardized instruments to assess knowledge about sexual health and frequency of sexual risk behavior. (AU)