Mehrnaz Rasoolinajad, Nasrin Abedinia, Ahmad Ali Noorbala, Minoo Mohraz, Banefsheh Moradmand,
Volume 24, Issue 159 (9-2017)
Background: Unfortunately, during the past years an increase in HIV infection is reported, especially through high-risk sexual relations. In this study, the effect of stigma, mental health and coping mechanisms on risky behaviors in HIV-positive patients were examined.
Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. Using convienient sampling method 450 HIV-positive patients were enrolled from Behavioral and Infectious Disease Clinic in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. The data were collected using demographic questionnaire, Berger Scale Stigma, General Health-28 Questionnaire, and Lazarus coping strategies questionnaire (WOCQ). The data were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA and regression.
Results: Mental health, stigma and coping mechanisms of problem solving were associated with risky behaviors (p<0.05) and rate of stigma was more in women and mental health lower in this group compared with men.
Conclusion: Psychological interventions may be effective in improving mental health and reducing risk behaviors.
