Ourselves, our bodies, our realities: an HIV prevention intervention for women with severe mental illness

Abstract

This paper describes a 10-session behavioral intervention introducing female-initiated methods of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention to reduce vulnerability to HIV infection for women with severe mental illness. In a pilot test of the intervention, 35 women were randomly placed in the experimental intervention group or an HIV education control. Subjective norms, intentions to use, perceived efficacy, and attitudes toward the male condom, female condom, and a microbicide were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 6-week follow-up. The participants in the treatment group reported a significantly more positive attitude toward the use of female condoms (t = -2.12, P < .05) at 6-week follow-up. Providing women with severe mental illness with choices of protective methods and the knowledge and skills to ensure proper use are among the many crucial ingredients in prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.