Levels of hope in HIV-infected African-American women of reproductive age.
HIV disease continues to grow at a staggering rate among women, with women of color becoming the group most frequently affected. Previous research has supported hope as an important factor associated with better health, quality of life, recovery from illness, and increased survival in life threatening illnesses such as HIV disease. The purpose of this study was to describe levels of hope in HIV-infected, African-American women, and to examine the relationships among hope and the women's reported symptoms, stage of illness, and perceived relationship with her primary health care provider (PHCP). A descriptive, quantitative design was used. The sample consisted of 49 African-American women 18 to 45 years of age. Face-to-face structured interviews were conducted. Hope was measured using the Herth Hope Scale, and the quality of the relationship with one's PHCP was measured using the Relationship with the PHCP Scale. The level of hope in these HIV-infected women was lower than women with breast cancer and hospitalized adults with cancer. No significant differences were found in level of hope related to relationship status, income, stage of illness, or if a woman had or did not have children. Hope was positively associated with a more positive relationship with the PHCP (r = .33, P = .02). This finding underscores the importance of the quality of the PHCP's relationship with their clients.
Phillips
K D
KD
College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA. ken.phillips@sc.edu
Sowell
R L
RL
Misener
T R
TR
Tavakoli
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D013022:South Carolina; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health