Self-care behaviors and informational needs of seropositive homosexual/bisexual men.
Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC) are developing beliefs, behaviors, and a knowledge bases that may affect their health status, sense of well-being, and health care needs. However, little documentation of these changes exists. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to describe AIDS beliefs, behaviors, and informational needs of homosexual/bisexual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive patients 7 years into the epidemic. Data were collected once from 178 patients using a modified version of the AIDS Beliefs and Behaviors Questionnaire (ABBQ). Study results showed that in 1987, most outpatients (73%) in an AIDS epicenter wanted more information about building their immune systems. Few patients (12%) wanted more explicit information about safe sexual behaviors, although 3 years into the epidemic this information was a central concern. Results suggest that health professionals need to take an active role in monitoring and addressing patients' changing informational needs.
Lovejoy
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NC
Department of Physiological Nursing, San Francisco General Hospital/University of California.
Moran
T A
TA
Paul
S
S
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000523:psychology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001727:Bisexuality; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care