Depressive symptoms, self-esteem, HIV symptom management self-efficacy and self-compassion in people living with HIV.

The aims of this study were to examine differences in self-schemas between persons living with HIV/AIDS with and without depressive symptoms, and the degree to which these self-schemas predict depressive symptoms in this population. Self-schemas are beliefs about oneself and include self-esteem, HIV symptom management self-efficacy, and self-compassion. Beck's cognitive theory of depression guided the analysis of data from a sample of 1766 PLHIV from the USA and Puerto Rico. Sixty-five percent of the sample reported depressive symptoms. These symptoms were significantly (p ≤ 0.05), negatively correlated with age (r = -0.154), education (r = -0.106), work status (r = -0.132), income adequacy (r = -0.204, self-esteem (r = -0.617), HIV symptom self-efficacy (r = - 0.408), and self-kindness (r = - 0.284); they were significantly, positively correlated with gender (female/transgender) (r = 0.061), white or Hispanic race/ethnicity (r = 0.047) and self-judgment (r = 0.600). Fifty-one percent of the variance (F = 177.530 (df = 1524); p < 0.001) in depressive symptoms was predicted by the combination of age, education, work status, income adequacy, self-esteem, HIV symptom self-efficacy, and self-judgment. The strongest predictor of depressive symptoms was self-judgment. Results lend support to Beck's theory that those with negative self-schemas are more vulnerable to depression and suggest that clinicians should evaluate PLHIV for negative self-schemas. Tailored interventions for the treatment of depressive symptoms in PLHIV should be tested and future studies should evaluate whether alterations in negative self-schemas are the mechanism of action of these interventions and establish causality in the treatment of depressive symptoms in PLHIV.

A multinational study of self-compassion and human immunodeficiency virus-related anxiety.

AIM: This study represents an initial effort at examining the association between the construct of self-compassion and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related anxiety in a multinational population with HIV disease. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that self-compassion is a powerful predictor of mental health, demonstrating positive and consistent linkages with various measures of affect, psychopathology and well-being, including anxiety. METHODS: Cross-sectional data from a multinational study conducted by the members of the International Nursing Network for HIV Research (n = 1986) were used. The diverse sample included participants from Canada, China, Namibia, the United States of America and the territory of Puerto Rico. Study measures included the anxiety subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90 instrument, the Brief Version Self-Compassion Inventory and a single item on anxiety from the Revised Sign and Symptom Checklist. FINDINGS: Study findings show that anxiety was significantly and inversely related to self-compassion across participants in all countries. We examined gender differences in self-compassion and anxiety, controlling for country. Levels of anxiety remained significantly and inversely related to self-compassion for both males (P = 0.000) and females (P = 0.000). Levels of self-compassion and anxiety varied across countries. CONCLUSIONS: Self-compassion is a robust construct with cross-cultural relevance. A culturally based brief treatment approach aimed at increasing self-compassion may lend itself to the development of a cost effective adjunct treatment in HIV disease, including the management of anxiety symptoms.

Mediators of antiretroviral adherence: a multisite international study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stressful life events (SLE) on medication adherence (3 days, 30 days) as mediated by sense of coherence (SOC), self-compassion (SCS), and engagement with the healthcare provider (eHCP) and whether this differed by international site. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional sample of 2082 HIV positive adults between September 2009 and January 2011 from sites in Canada, China, Namibia, Puerto Rico, Thailand, and US. Statistical tests to explore the effects of stressful life events on antiretroviral medication adherence included descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance, analysis of variance with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis, and path analysis. An examination by international site of the relationships between SLE, SCS, SOC, and eHCP with adherence (3 days and 30 days) indicated these combined variables were related to adherence whether 3 days or 30 days to different degrees at the various sites. SLE, SCS, SOC, and eHCP were significant predictors of adherence past 3 days for the United States (p = < 0.001), Canada (p = 0.006), and Namibia (p = 0.019). The combined independent variables were significant predictors of adherence past 30 days only in the United States and Canada. Engagement with the provider was a significant correlate for antiretroviral adherence in most, but not all, of these countries. Thus, the importance of eHCP cannot be overstated. Nonetheless, our findings need to be accompanied by the caveat that research on variables of interest, while enriched by a sample obtained from international sites, may not have the same relationships in each country.

Prevalence, correlates, and self-management of HIV-related depressive symptoms.

Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent yet undertreated in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs). As part of a larger study of symptom self-management (N=1217), this study examined the prevalence, correlates, and characteristics (intensity, distress, and impact) of depressive symptoms, and the self-care strategies used to manage those symptoms in PLHAs in five countries. The proportion of respondents from each country in the total sample reporting depressive symptoms in the past week varied and included Colombia (44%), Norway (66%), Puerto Rico (57%), Taiwan (35%), and the USA (56%). Fifty-four percent (n=655) of the total sample reported experiencing depressive symptoms in the past week, with a mean of 4.1 (SD 2.1) days of depression. Mean depression intensity 5.4 (SD 2.7), distressfulness 5.5 (SD 2.86), and impact 5.5 (SD 3.0) were rated on a 1-10 scale. The mean Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score for those reporting depressive symptoms was 27 (SD 11; range 3-58), and varied significantly by country. Respondents identified 19 self-care behaviors for depressive symptoms, which fell into six categories: complementary therapies, talking to others, distraction techniques, physical activity, medications, and denial/avoidant coping. The most frequently used strategies varied by country. In the US sample, 33% of the variance in depressive symptoms was predicted by the combination of education, HIV symptoms, psychological and social support, and perceived consequences of HIV disease.

HIV illness representation as a predictor of self-care management and health outcomes: a multi-site, cross-cultural study.

Research has shown that the perceptions that form the cognitive representation of an illness (illness representation) are fundamental to how persons cope with illness. This study examined the relationship of illness representation of HIV with self-care behavior and health outcomes. Data were collected at 16 sites in the United States, Taiwan, Norway, Puerto Rico and Colombia via survey. HIV seropositive participants (n = 1,217, 31% female, 38% African-American/Black, 10% Asian/Pacific Islander and 26% White/Anglo) completed measures of illness representation based on the commonly accepted five-component structure: identity, time-line, consequences, cause, and cure/controllability (Weinman et al. 1996, Psychology and Health, 11, 431-445). Linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate relationships among illness representation, self-care behaviors and quality-of-life outcomes. Components of illness representation were associated with self-care and health outcomes, indicating that the cognitive representation of HIV has consequences for effective illness management. For example, perception that there is little that can be done to control HIV was significantly associated with fewer and less effective self-care activities (F = 12.86, P < .001) and poorer health function in the domain of quality-of-life (F = 13.89, P < .001). The concept of illness representation provides a useful framework for understanding HIV symptom management and may be useful in directing development of effective patient-centered interventions.

Unhealthy behaviours for self-management of HIV-related peripheral neuropathy.

The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is frequent in HIV disease and is often associated with antiretroviral therapy. Unhealthy behaviours, particularly substance-use behaviours, are utilized by many HIV-positive individuals to manage neuropathic symptoms. As part of a larger study on self-care for symptoms in HIV disease, this study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of unhealthy behaviours to self-manage peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease. Sociodemographic and disease-related correlates and unhealthy behaviours were examined in a convenience sample of 1,217 respondents who were recruited from data collection sites in several US cities, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and Taiwan. Results of the study indicated that respondents with peripheral neuropathy (n=450) identified a variety of unhealthy self-care behaviours including injection drug use, oral drug use, smoking cigarettes and alcohol ingestion. Specific unhealthy behaviours that participants reported to alleviate peripheral neuropathy included use of marijuana (n=67), smoking cigarettes (n=139), drinking alcohol (n=81) and street drugs (n=30). A subset of those individuals (n=160), who identified high levels of neuropathy (greater than five on a scale of 1-10), indicated significantly higher use of amphetamines and injection drug use in addition to alcohol use and cigarette smoking. For participants from Norway, substance use (using alcohol: 56%) was one of the most frequent self-management strategies. Implications for clinical practice include assessment and education of persons with HIV for self-care management of the complex symptom of peripheral neuropathy.

University of California, San Francisco International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research.

AIM: The University of California, San Francisco International Nursing Network for HIV/AIDS Research (the Network) is an international group of nurse scientists dedicated to research and education for the purpose of improving HIV/AIDS nursing care around the world. This article describes the evolution of the Network, as well as its structure, achievements and challenges. BACKGROUND: Although HIV/AIDS has been around for over 25 years, millions of people are still affected by the disease every year. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that in 2005, there were 38.6 million people living with HIV around the world. In many parts of the developed and developing world, nurses are the primary caregivers for people living with HIV/AIDS, and they need up-to-date information about the daily management of the disease. The Network was established to respond to the need of HIV/AIDS nurses for relevant information to inform clinical care. The Network's main activity is a series of international multi-site collaborative research studies. Past studies have addressed issues such as medication adherence, symptom management and self-care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Network also hosts semi-annual meetings as well as a biannual international nursing science conference. CONCLUSION: The Network's flexible structure has proven to be one of its greatest assets, as well as a challenge. Although the Network faces challenges, it has proven to be a useful framework for conducting international collaborative activities related to HIV/AIDS and nursing science.

Symptom management and self-care for peripheral neuropathy in HIV/AIDS.

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV and is often associated with antiretroviral therapy. As part of a larger study on self-care for symptoms in HIV disease, this study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease, sociodemographic and disease-related correlates and self-care strategies. A convenience sample of 1,217 respondents was recruited from data collection sites in several US cities, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Taiwan. Results of the study indicated that respondents with peripheral neuropathy (n=450) identified 20 self-care behaviors including complementary therapies, use of medications, exercise and rest and/or elevation of extremities. Ratings of frequency and effectiveness were also included. An activities checklist summarized into five categories of self-care behaviors including activities/thoughts, exercise, medications, complementary therapies and substance was used to determine self-care behaviors. Taking a hot bath was the most frequent strategy used by those with peripheral neuropathy (n=292) and received the highest overall rating of effectiveness of any self-management strategies included in this study at 8.1 (scale 1-10). Other self-care strategies to manage this symptom included: staying off the feet (n=258), rubbing the feet with cream (n=177), elevating the feet (n=236), walking (n=262), prescribed anti-epileptic agent (n=80), prescribed analgesics (n=84), over-the-counter medications (n=123), vitamin B (n=122), calcium supplements (n=72), magnesium (n=48), massage (n=156), acupuncture (n=43), reflexology (n=23) and meditation (n=80). Several behaviors that are often deemed unhealthy were included among the strategies reported to alleviate peripheral neuropathy including use of marijuana (n=67), cigarette smoking (n=139), drinking alcohol (n=81) and street drugs (n=30).

Managing AIDS stigma.

According to anecdotal reports, AIDS stigma and discrimination continue to influence people living with and affected by HIV disease as well as their health care providers, particularly in southern Africa where the burden of AIDS is so significant. Stigma is perceived as a major limiting factor in primary and secondary HIV/AIDS prevention and care. It reportedly interferes with voluntary testing and counselling, and with accessing care and treatments, thereby increasing suffering and shortening lives. Many health care workers in southern Africa have come to the conclusion that unless stigma is conquered, the illness will not be defeated. While there is substantial anecdotal evidence of the impact of stigma on AIDS care, very little rigorous research has been conducted. This article explores three questions: What is AIDS stigma? What is the impact of AIDS stigma? How can health care providers help to manage AIDS stigma?

Self-care management for neuropathy in HIV disease.

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common neurological complication in HIV and is often associated with antiretroviral therapy. As part of a larger study on self-care for symptoms in HIV disease, this study analyzed the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in HIV disease, the self-care strategies, and sources of information for self-care utilized by the sample. A convenience sample of 422 respondents was recruited from an Internet web-based site developed by the University of California, San Francisco International HIV/AIDS Research Network and from five geographic data collection sites (Boston, New York City, San Francisco and Paterson in the USA, and Oslo, Norway). Results of the study indicated that respondents with peripheral neuropathy identified 77 self-care behaviours including complementary therapies, use of medications, exercise and rest and/or elevation of extremities. Sources of information included health care providers, informal networks and media sources.

The revised Sign and Symptom Check-List for HIV (SSC-HIVrev).

Symptom management for persons living with HIV/AIDS is recognized as an extremely important component of care management. This article reports on the continuing validation of the revised Sign and Symptom Check-List for Persons With HIV Disease (SSC-HIVrev). The initial validation study used a combined sample of 933 HIV-positive persons and concluded that the validity and reliability of the instrument were adequate to measure patients' self-report of HIV-related signs and symptoms. The revised scale includes items to measure gynecological-related symptoms and the impact of lipodystrophy (body fat redistribution) due to antiretroviral therapy on patients' symptom experience. The scale structure (factor analysis) and reliability estimates were recalculated in a new sample of 372 HIV-positive persons. Based on reviewing the clusters of items, factor loadings, reliability estimates, and clinical interpretability, an 11-factor solution was determined that explained 73.3% of the variance. Of the retained factors, 4 had eigenvalues less than 1, yet they explained significant amounts of variance in the rotated sums of squares loading (5.0%, 4.3%, 4.3%, and 3.6%, respectively), the reliability estimates were good, and the factors had clinical meaning. The revised scale (SSC-HIVrev) has three parts: Part 1 consists of 45 items that clustered into 11 factor scores along with a total score, with reliability estimates ranging from .76 to .91; Part 2 consists of 19 HIV-related symptoms that do not cluster into factor scores but may be of interest from a clinical perspective; and Part 3 consists of 8 items related to gynecological symptoms for women. These 8 items were submitted to a principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation (n = 118 HIV-positive women), and a 1-factor solution explained 71.8% of the variance, with a reliability estimate of .94. The psychometric properties of the SSC-HIVrev are presented.

Linking nursing care interventions with client outcomes: a community-based application of an outcomes model.

This article describes a conceptual model that provides an organizing framework for assessing client outcomes in community-based settings. The "Outcomes Model for Community-Based Settings" (OMCBS) examines the relationships among structure, process, and outcomes juxtaposed to the dimensions of client, provider, and setting including sample measures for each variable. OMCBS incorporates the Omaha System including its comprehensive list of client health problems, nursing interventions, and an outcome rating scale assessing client knowledge, behavior, and health status to standardize nursing care and client outcomes. The OMCBS provides a strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions for clients in a variety of milieus.

Hematological complications and quality of life in hospitalized AIDS patients.

The relationships among the biological and physiological indicators of cytopenias in AIDS and measures of quality of life are not well characterized. The purpose of this secondary analysis was to determine the relationships among anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia and characteristics of the individual, physiological markers, symptoms, functional status, general health perceptions, and well-being in people with AIDS. The five dimensions of the Wilson and Cleary model of health-related quality of life provided the conceptual model for this study. In addition to descriptive statistics, logistic regression was used to analyze clusters of variables. The sample of 146 hospitalized patients with AIDS had an 85% prevalence of anemia, a 53% prevalence neutropenia and a 33% prevalence of thrombocytopenia. The mean age was 38 years old, 19% were female, 35% were white, 27% had a history of injection drug use and the mean T-helper cell count was 74 mm3. The five dimensions of the Wilson and Cleary model offered significant predictability for anemia only. Patients with higher symptom scores were more likely to have treatable anemia, defined as a hematocrit of < 30%. Treatable anemia was also associated with lower self-care scores and lower T-helper cells. Fifty-four percent of the cohort were candidates for colony stimulating factors, while only 17% of those eligible received them. These data suggest suboptimal treatment of anemia and neutropenia in this cohort of AIDS patients.

Predictors of perception of cognitive functioning in HIV/AIDS.

This is a descriptive, correlational study of the predictors of perceived cognitive functioning. The convenience sample of 728 nonhospitalized persons receiving health care for HIV/AIDS was recruited from seven sites in the United States. All measures were self-reported. Self-perception of cognitive functioning, the dependent variable, was composed of three items from the Medical Outcomes Study HIV scale: thinking, attention, and forgetfulness. Data related to age, gender, ethnicity, education, injection drug use, CD4 count, and length of time known to be HIV-positive were collected on a demographic questionnaire. The scale from the Sign and Symptom Checklist for Persons with HIV Disease was used to measure self-reported symptoms. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Predictors of perception of cognitive functioning explained a total of 36.3% of the variance. Four blocks--person variables (1.5%) (age, gender, education, history of injection drug use), disease status (2.3%), symptom status (26.5%), and functional status (5.4%)--significantly contributed statistically to the total variance. Among those individuals who completed the questions related to depression (n = 450), 28% of the variance in cognitive functioning was explained by this variable. The findings in this multi-site study indicate that symptom status explained the largest amount of variance in perceived cognitive functioning. Early identification of cognitive impairment can result in appropriate clinical interventions in remediable conditions and in the improvement of quality of life.

Relationships between perception of engagement with health care provider and demographic characteristics, health status, and adherence to therapeutic regimen in persons with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to examine the relationships between perception of engagement with health care provider and demographic characteristics, health status, and adherence to therapeutic regimen in persons with HIV/AIDS. The convenience sample of 707 non-hospitalized persons receiving health care for HIV/AIDS was recruited from seven U.S. sites. All measures were self-report. Perception of engagement with health care provider was measured by the newly developed Engagement with Health Care Provider scale. Adherence to therapeutic regimen included adherence to medications, provider advice, and appointments. Health status was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36), Living with HIV scale, CD4 count, and length of time known to be HIV-positive. There were no significant relationships between engagement with health care provider and age, gender, ethnicity, and type of health care provider. Subscales of the MOS SF-36 and Living with HIV explained a significant, but modest amount of the variance in engagement. Clients who were more engaged with their health care provider reported greater adherence to medication regimen and provider advice. Clients who missed at least one appointment in the last month or who reported current or past injection drug use were significantly less engaged.

The Client Adherence Profiling-Intervention Tailoring (CAP-IT) intervention for enhancing adherence to HIV/AIDS medications: a pilot study.

This article describes the Client Adherence Profiling-Intervention Tailoring (CAP-IT) intervention designed to enhance adherence to HIV/AIDS medications and reports the results of a pilot study aimed at assessing the feasibility of CAP-IT. Initially, CAP-IT was designed to be implemented by nurse case managers during regularly scheduled home visits; it is currently under revision for use in an outpatient, ambulatory care setting. CAP-IT is an innovative, structured nursing assessment and care-planning activity that allows a standardized assessment of client needs and tailored highly active antiretroviral therapy adherence intervention strategies. CAP-IT is significantly different from the current standard nursing case management practice. Pilot study results in a sample of 10 home care patients suggests that clients have knowledge and skill deficits related to adherence and in the management of the side effects of medications. In addition, the pilot study supported the acceptability of the protocol to clients and the feasibility of integrating CAP-IT into nurse case manager practice. The pilot study results also provided evidence for the efficacy of CAP-IT. The next steps include testing CAP-IT in a randomized clinical trial to determine its effectiveness.

A comparison of three strategies for risk-adjustment of outcomes for AIDS patients hospitalized for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: The need for risk-adjustment of patient outcomes has been driven by the competitive health care market and the subsequent increase in comparative outcome reporting among health care institutions, among managed care plans, and among individual providers for some procedures (e.g. coronary artery bypass graft surgery). However, if the outcomes reported do not take into account patient characteristics that can be considered dimensions of risk for poor clinical outcomes or increased utilization of services, there is the possibility that inaccurate conclusions will be drawn about the quality of care provided. OBJECTIVE: The specific purpose of this study was to examine the ability of four measures, APACHE III - acute physiology scale, Quality Audit Marker - ambulation score, Quality Audit Marker - self-care ability score, and Nursing Severity Index, to predict mortality and hospital length of stay in a convenience sample of 140 males with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. METHODS: The study utilized a descriptive, longitudinal design. RESULTS: APACHE III - acute physiology scale (P = 0.006, odds ratio = 1.40), and Quality Audit Marker - ambulation (P = 0.037, odds ratio = 0.50), were significant predictors of hospital mortality and the APACHE III - acute physiology scale was also a predictor of mortality within 3 (P = 0.004, odds ratio = 1.13) and 6 months (P = 0.009, odds ratio = 1.10) following hospitalization. Only Quality Audit Marker - ambulation (P = 0.0001) was a significant predictor of length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study confirm the findings of other investigators that measures of acute clinical stability and functional status have utility as risk-adjustment approaches for the outcomes of mortality and length of stay. Further research is needed that compares the utility of generic vs. disease-specific measures for prediction of outcomes in HIV/AIDS.

Validation of the Sign and Symptom Check-List for Persons with HIV Disease (SSC-HIV).

Symptom management for persons living with HIV disease is recognized as an extremely important component of care management. This article reports the validation of a new sign and symptom assessment tool designed to assess the intensity of HIV-related symptoms using two samples (study 1: n=247; study 2: n=686) of people living with HIV disease. Study 1 data were collected between 1994 and 1996 before the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Study 2 data were collected between 1997 and 1998 after the wide adoption of HAART therapy. The initial version of the Sign and Symptom Check-List for Persons with HIV Disease (SSC-HIV) included 41 signs and symptoms. This scale was submitted to a principal components factor analysis with a varimax rotation. The final solution reports six factors explaining 68.9% of the variance. The six symptom clusters (factors), the number of items in the factor, and the Cronbach alpha reliability estimates were: malaise/weakness/fatigue (six items, alpha=0.90); confusion/distress (four items, alpha=0.90); fever/chills (four items, alpha=0.85); gastrointestinal discomfort (four items, alpha=0. 81); shortness of breath (three items, alpha=0.79); and nausea/vomiting (three items, alpha=0.77). These six factors have strong reliability estimates and a stable factor structure that supports the construct validity of the 26-item instrument. Additional evidence supports the concurrent validity of the scale as well as its sensitivity to change over time. The final version of the SSC-HIV is a 26-item scale available for use by clinicians and researchers to measure the patient's self-report of HIV-related signs and symptoms.

Predictors of self-reported adherence in persons living with HIV disease.

This study examined the relationships between the five dimensions of the Wilson and Cleary model of health-related quality of life and three self-reported adherence measures in persons living with HIV using a descriptive survey design. Data collection occurred in seven cities across the United States, including university-based AIDS clinics, private practices, public and for-profit hospitals, residential and day-care facilities, community-based organizations, and home care. The three dependent adherence measures studied were "medication nonadherence," "follows provider advice," and "missed appointments." The sample included 420 persons living with HIV disease with a mean age of 39 years of which 20% were women and 51% were white; subjects had a mean CD4 count of 321 mm3. HIV-positive clients with higher symptom scores, particularly depression, were more likely to be nonadherent to medication, not to follow provider advice, and to miss appointments. Participants who reported having a meaningful life, feeling comfortable and well cared for, using their time wisely, and taking time for important things were both more adherent to their medications and more likely to follow provider's advice. No evidence was found demonstrating any relationship between adherence and age, gender, ethnicity, or history of injection drug use. These findings support the need to treat symptoms, particularly depression, and to understand clients' perceptions of their environment as strategies to enhance adherence. A limitation of this study was that adherence was measured only by self-report; however, the study did expand the concept of adherence in HIV care beyond medication adherence to include following instructions and keeping appointments.

Quality of life and self-care management strategies of PLWAs with chronic diarrhea.

A case control design was used to examine quality of life and self-care management strategies in persons living with AIDS (PLWAs) with chronic diarrhea. PLWAs without chronic diarrhea (n = 20) as compared to those with chronic diarrhea (n = 20) reported significantly higher general health perceptions (p = .028). In contrast, comparisons on symptom status scores revealed that PLWAs without chronic diarrhea reported greater fatigue (p = .05), greater psychological distress (p = .005), and greater gastrointestinal discomfort (p = .01). Although the intensity of chronic diarrhea was reported as moderate to severe by 85% of the sample, no single category of self-care management strategies was used by more than 65% of respondents. The number of categories of self-care management activities was significantly correlated with general health perceptions. The study findings support the need to test nursing interventions aimed at improving symptom management in chronic diarrhea and facilitating self-care behaviors including those focused on increasing adherence to prescribed therapeutic regimens.