Exploration of informal caregiving following hip fracture.

Hip fracture, a significant health issue for older adults, is an acute event in which older adults can recover their prefracture functional abilities. The recovery phase is often difficult for older adults, and the role of informal caregivers is particularly important. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore informal caregivers' experiences with providing care to older adults over the first 6-month trajectory of hip fracture recovery and their support needs. Participants (N = 10) were interviewed twice at 0-2 and 5-6 months. Analyses of the verbatim transcripts revealed multiple shared themes. Some themes were consistent across phases, such as hip fracture as a turning point toward a frailer state, feeling tired, frustration with communication issues in health care delivery, and lack of information about caregiving-related activities. Certain themes were phase-specific. For instance, in the early phase, management of hospital bills and transitions between care settings were especially burdensome. The caregiving situation, however, was viewed as an opportunity to spend more time with their loved ones. Findings from this study revealed unmet support needs expressed by caregivers of older adult hip fracture patients. Ongoing research and clinical interventions are needed to establish effective methods to empower these caregivers.

Use of discussion boards in a theory-based health web site for older adults.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture, a significant public health problem among older adults, can be prevented using multimodal approaches (e.g., bone-strengthening measures, fall prevention). Many older adults, however, are unaware of this information. With the rapid growth of older adult online users who have a specific interest in health, the Web can serve as a valuable medium to disseminate this information. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the social cognitive theory-based structured hip fracture prevention Web site (TSW) on health behaviors through analysis of discussion board postings and to assess participants' experiences with the discussion board. METHODS: In an online, randomized controlled study, the effects of a social cognitive TSW, including learning modules and a moderated discussion board, were tested on older adults' health behavior-related outcomes.This was an exploratory qualitative study. The TSW group participants used the learning modules and the discussion board for 2 weeks. Their experiences with the discussion board were explored using an open-ended question. Discussion board postings and qualitative answers were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Ninety older adults actively participated in the discussion board. Analysis of 316 postings revealed eight themes. Participants shared their current health behaviors and discussed specific health problems and concerns. Many recognized opportunities for improvement and identified motivators to improve health behaviors. They also offered supportive comments to others and shared helpful and practical information. More than half of the participants (n = 65, 74.4%) reported that the discussion board enhanced their learning experiences. DISCUSSION: The themes developed from the postings showed that moderated discussion boards can be used effectively to change older adults' health behavior. Further research is needed to explore the long-term impact of using this component in online health behavior change interventions.

Testing for Turkeys Faith-Based Community HIV Testing Initiative: An Update.

Testing for Turkeys (TFT) HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing initiative is a joint effort between Older Women Embracing Life (OWEL), Inc., a nonprofit faith-based community HIV support and advocacy organization; the Johns Hopkins University Regional Partner MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (MAAETC); and the University of Maryland, Baltimore JACQUES Initiative (JI), and is now in its 11th year of providing HIV outreach, testing, and linkage to care. Since 2008, the annual TFT daylong community HIV testing and linkage to care initiative has been held 2 weeks before Thanksgiving at a faith-based center in Baltimore, Maryland, in a zip code where one in 26 adults and adolescents ages 13 years and older are living with HIV (Maryland Department of Health, Center for HIV Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Evaluation, 2017). TFT includes a health fair with vendors that supply an abundance of education information (handouts, videos, one-on-one counseling) and safer sex necessities, including male and female condoms, dental dams, and lube. Nutritious boxed lunches and beverages are provided to all attendees and volunteers. Everyone tested for HIV who stays to obtain their results is given a free frozen turkey as they exit. The Baltimore City Health Department is on hand with a confidential no-test list (persons in the state already known to have HIV) to diminish retesting of individuals previously diagnosed with HIV. However, linkage to care is available to everyone: newly diagnosed individuals and those previously diagnosed and currently out of care.

Successful coping in urban, community-dwelling older adults with HIV.

By 2015, 50% of HIV-infected individuals in the United States will be 50 years of age and older. Examining successful coping in older adults with HIV could expand existing coping toolkits, enhance disease management, and improve overall outcomes. We explored how urban, community-dwelling older adults (N = 40) coped with HIV infection, comorbidities, and related stressors. Participants completed an individual or focus group interview session using open-ended questions formulated from extended participant observation. Data were analyzed for theme development using interpretive hermeneutics and qualitative content analysis. Stressors included HIV, comorbidities, fear, anger, stigma, and finances. Three themes for successful coping were identified: accessing support, helping selves and helping others, and tapping into spirituality. Participants engaged in active, meaning-based strategies to successfully cope with HIV and related stressors. These strategies can be adapted for other older adults with HIV, leading to holistic care and improved outcomes.

The effect of leflunomide on cycling and activation of T-cells in HIV-1-infected participants.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of immunodeficiency due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 is incompletely understood, but immune activation is believed to play a central role. Immunomodulatory agents that decrease immune activation may be useful in the treatment of HIV-1 infection. METHODOLOGY: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of leflunomide for 28 days was performed in participants with HIV-1 infection who were not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Participants randomized to leflunomide were subsequently treated with cholestyramine until leflunomide levels were below detection limit. FINDINGS: Treatment with leflunomide was well tolerated with mostly low-grade adverse events. Leflunomide administration reduced cycling of CD4 T cells (by ex vivo bromodeoxyuridine uptake and Ki67 expression) and decreased expression of activation markers (HLA-DR/CD38 co-expression) on CD8 T cells in peripheral blood. In addition, decreased expression of HIV-1 co-receptors was observed in both CD4 and CD8 T cells in the leflunomide group. There were no significant changes in naïve and memory T cell subsets, apoptosis of T cells or markers of microbial translocation. CONCLUSIONS: Leflunomide was effective in reducing immune activation in the setting of chronic HIV-1 infection suggesting that targeting immune activation with immunomodulatory agents may be a feasible strategy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00101374.