Citation

Loue S, Daugherty-Brownrigg B, Heaphy E, Mendez N, Sajatovic M. J. HIV AIDS Soc. Serv. 2012; 11(3): 233-247.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15381501.2012.703561

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

African American men who have sex with men often experience rejection and discrimination. Mental illness may contribute to high HIV risk behavior. We assessed the relationship between mental illness and HIV risk among African American men who have sex with men. We assessed 125 African American men who have sex with men aged 18 years or older in Ohio for mental illness, substance use, HIV knowledge, and risk. Bivariate analyses were conducted. Any mental illness was associated with substance abuse (p =.001), child abuse (p =.032), suicide attempts (p =.028), and trading sex for money or drugs (p =.002). Bipolar disorder was associated with trading sex for money or drugs (p =.008). Mood disorders appear undertreated among African American men who have sex with men. More adequate mental health and substance abuse treatment are needed both in the prison system and the community setting to reduce HIV risk and transmission. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Language: en

Keywords

United States; mental health; suicide; mental illness; Ohio; African American; sexual behavior; disease transmission; HIV risk; health risk; human immunodeficiency virus; African American men who have sex with men