Psychiatrists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Training Needs Regarding Assessment of HIV and Sexual Risk Behaviors
- VernacularTitle:ХДХВ, бэлгийн эрсдэлт зан үйлийн талаар сэтгэцийн эмч нарын асуумж авах мэдлэг, хандлага, сургалтын хэрэгцээ
- Author:
Uranchimeg M
1
;
Bilguun N
1
;
Nyamtsengel V
2
;
Khishigsuren Z
1
Author Information
1. Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine, Mongolia
2. Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Mongolia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
clinical interview;
screening;
stigma-free care;
sexually transmitted infections;
training needs
- From:
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences
2026;94(4):81-86
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Sexual risk behavior is an important issue that requires early identification and assessment because it is associated with sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV and syphilis, unintended pregnancy, and adverse reproductive, psychosocial, and mental health outcomes. Clients with sexual risk behaviors may also experience fear, anxiety, depression, shame, and stigma. Therefore, psychiatrists have an important role in identifying these risks, providing counseling, and referring clients for further care when needed. However, in routine clinical practice, obtaining a full sexual health history and identifying sexual risk behavior through interview may be limited.
Aim:This study aimed to assess psychiatrists’ current practice in asking about sexual risk behavior, their basic knowledge of HIV/STIs, attitudes toward clients with sexual risk behavior, and training needs.
Materials and Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted between July and October 2025. The study included 158 psychiatrists working at the National Center for Mental Health, district and local health centers, and private clinics providing mental health services. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the research team. The survey included socio-demographic and professional characteristics, practice related to asking about sexual risk behavior, knowledge of HIV/STIs, attitudes toward clients with sexual risk behavior, and institutional training needs. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, non-parametric tests, Spearman correlation, and linear regression models were applied.
Results:Of the participants, 78.5% were female, and the mean age was 36.8±10.2 years. Psychiatrists asked a mean of 6.2±5.7 out of 22 questions required to identify sexual risk behavior, indicating that only a limited number of relevant questions were routinely covered in clinical practice. General questions such as marital status, age at first sexual intercourse, sexual health-related complaints, and history of sexually transmitted infections were asked more frequently, whereas questions on sex with commercial sex workers, casual and multiple sexual partners in the last 3 months, and sexual orientation were asked less often. Male psychiatrists (p=0.036) and psychiatrists working in private practice (p=0.034) asked significantly more questions. Among the 131 participants eligible for HIV/STI knowledge assessment, 29.8% had adequate knowledge and 70.2% had inadequate knowledge. Misconceptions about mosquito transmission of HIV remained common. The mean attitude score among 131 psychiatrists was 14.3±1.7. Significant differences were observed across age groups (p=0.004), and psychiatrists with 0–10 years of experience had higher attitude scores than those with more than 10 years of experience (p=0.026). A weak but statistically significant negative correlation was found between years of work as a psychiatrist and attitude score toward clients with sexual risk behavior (Spearman r=-0.304, p<0.001; n=131). In addition, 69.0% of participants had previously worked with clients with sexual risk behavior, and 48.1% had provided care to such clients in the last 12 months.
Conclusion:The practice of asking about sexual risk behavior among psychiatrists remains limited and non-standardized. Differences were observed according to physician sex and type of institution. Continuous workplace-based training and practical guidelines are needed to strengthen psychiatrists’ capacity to identify sexual risk behavior and provide appropriate care.
- Full text:202610012300157085916_81-86_ХДХВ бэлгийн эрсдэлт зан үйлийн талаар сэтгэцийн эмч нарын асуумж авах мэдлэг хандлага сургалтын хэрэгцээ.pdf
