title: HIV/AIDS symptom management in Southern Africa.
abstract: We describe self-reported strategies used by persons living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland to manage common HIV-related symptoms. A questionnaire asked participants to list three to six symptoms they had recently experienced, the care strategies they had used to make them better, where they had learned the strategy, and to rate the perceived effectiveness of the strategy. Data were collected in 2002 from 743 persons. The self-care management strategies were coded into eight categories: medications, complementary treatments, self-comforting, changing diet, seeking help, exercise, spiritual care, and daily thoughts/activities. Overall, participants reported medications as the most frequently occurring management strategy and the most effective. A very small inventory of behavioral strategies was available to participants to help them manage their HIV-related symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Science, University of Swaziland, Mbabane, Swaziland.
authors.forename: Nonhlanhla A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Sukati
authors.forename: Sibongile C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Mndebele
authors.forename: Elsie T'sepiso
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Makoa
authors.forename: Tendani Sara
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ramukumba
authors.forename: Lucy Nthabiseng
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Makoae
authors.forename: Naomi Mmapelo
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Seboni
authors.forename: Sarie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Human
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holzemer
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000353:Africa, Southern / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents