Psychiatric Patients and HIV Infection: a New Population at Risk?

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Abstract
Background: We assess the evidence that psychiatric patients are at increased risk of infection with HIV and discuss some of the clinical implications.Method: Surveys of HIV seroprevalence and risk behaviours among psychiatric patients were obtained from a manual and computer search (Medline and AIDSline).Results: Most studies report an increased prevalence of HIV infection among psychiatric patients compared to the general population. Risk behaviours, and obstacles to risk reduction, are identified.Conclusions: There is a strong case for investigating the seroprevalence of HIV in psychiatric settings in the UK. Issues relating to HIV and AIDS are likely to assume increasing importance in general psychiatric practice.