title: Urban farming: a non-traditional intervention for HIV-related distress.
abstract: As individuals with HIV are living longer with less morbidity, developing interventions that address co-morbidities are essential. Psychological distress symptoms fluctuate throughout HIV infection and interrupt self-care practices. This pilot study was conducted to test the implementation of a clinic-recruited sample to participate in a community-based urban farming intervention, and assess the efficacy of reducing psychological distress symptoms. While the changes were not statistically significant, participants reported less distress symptoms, improved overall general health, and reduced frequency of illicit drug use. These findings support the development of a larger scale study to examine the impact of this nontraditional intervention.
authors: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, 3545 Lafayette Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA. eshacham@slu.edu
authors: Enbal
authors: E
authors: Shacham
authors: Michael F
authors: MF
authors: Donovan
authors: Shannon
authors: S
authors: Connolly
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Mayrose
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Scheuermann
authors: E Turner
authors: ET
authors: Overton
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*