Self-Management Strategies for Coping with Adverse Symptoms in Persons Living with HIV with HIV Associated Non-AIDS Conditions

Sarah Iribarren, Karolynn Siegel, Sabina Hirshfield, Susan Olender, Joachim Voss, Joseph Krongold, Heidi Luft, Rebecca Schnall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

People living with HIV (PLWH) are living longer, but many are now affected by HIV-associated non-AIDS (HANA) conditions and their associated adverse symptoms. An online survey was conducted with 769 PLWH with HANA conditions in the US. Information was elicited on symptoms experienced, self-management strategies employed, and the helpfulness of these strategies. Open ended responses were collected for self-management strategies. A qualitative data analytic approach was used to organize the 4036 self-management strategies into thematic categories, with eight main categories emerging, including: taking medication, modifying activity, altering diet, seeking help, waiting, substance use, managing thoughts and attitudes, and altering the physical environment. Of the self-management strategy subcategories, social support was the most helpful self-management strategy with waiting/doing nothing being the least helpful approach. Findings can be used to inform the development of self-management interventions and to support health care professionals in recommending symptom self-management strategies to their patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)297-307
Number of pages11
JournalAIDS and Behavior
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HANA conditions
  • HIV
  • Online survey
  • Self-management strategies
  • Symptoms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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