title: A qualitative description of women's HIV self-management techniques: context, strategies, and considerations.
abstract: Women living with HIV face unique challenges managing their disease. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to describe self-management techniques reported by 48 women living with HIV in the United States. Participants were involved in one 90-minute, digitally recorded focus group exploring aspects of HIV self-management strategies. Descriptive statistics, qualitative description, and content analysis were used to analyze the data. Participants had been living with HIV for an average of 12 years, and most (69%) were engaged in routine HIV care (85%) and were currently receiving antiretroviral therapy. Participants reported using self-management techniques: taking personal time (n = 23; 48%), advocacy (n = 12; 25%), sleeping (n = 17, 35%), attending support groups (n = 10; 21%), and attending medical appointments (n = 8; 17%). Nurses can add strategies to enhance HIV self-management to routine clinical care, which may have a positive impact on the health of women living with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Allison R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Webel
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dolansky
authors.forename: Anna G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Salata
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
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