The Co-Occurrence of Mental Illness and High HIV Risk in a Sample of African American MSM: Findings and Implications

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.