title: Unhealthy substance-use behaviors as symptom-related self-care in persons with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: Unhealthy substance-use behaviors, including a heavy alcohol intake, illicit drug use, and cigarette smoking, are engaged in by many HIV-positive individuals, often as a way to manage their disease-related symptoms. This study, based on data from a larger randomized controlled trial of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual, examines the prevalence and characteristics of unhealthy behaviors in relation to HIV/AIDS symptoms. The mean age of the sample (n = 775) was 42.8 years and 38.5% of the sample was female. The mean number of years living with HIV was 9.1 years. The specific self-reported unhealthy substance-use behaviors were the use of marijuana, cigarettes, a large amount of alcohol, and illicit drugs. A subset of individuals who identified high levels of specific symptoms also reported significantly higher substance-use behaviors, including amphetamine and injection drug use, heavy alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and marijuana use. The implications for clinical practice include the assessment of self-care behaviors, screening for substance abuse, and education of persons regarding the self-management of HIV.
authors.affiliation: Schools of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, USA.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brion
authors.forename: Carol Dawson
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Patrice K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sloane
authors.forename: Inge B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Corless
authors.forename: Teri G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: Dean J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wantland
authors.forename: Jeanne K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kemppainen
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Sefcik
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Nokes
authors.forename: Kenn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kirksey
authors.forename: Lucille
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eller
authors.forename: Mary Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: William L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Holzemer
authors.forename: Carmen J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Portillo
authors.forename: Marta Rivero
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mendez
authors.forename: Linda M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Shahnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moezzi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Sarie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Human
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maryland
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arudo
authors.forename: Ana Viamonte
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Ros
authors.forename: Thomas P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Nicholas
authors.forename: Yvette
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cuca
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bain
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tyer-Viola
authors.forename: Sheryl M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zang
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.forename: Angelleen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peters-Lewis
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Willard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011594:Psychometrics; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012648:Self Care; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult