RESUMEN
As part of a larger randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual (n = 775), this study examined the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in HIV-infected individuals at 12 sites in the USA, Puerto Rico, and Africa. Neuropathy was reported by 44% of the sample; however, only 29.4% reported initiating self-care behaviors to address the neuropathy symptoms. Antiretroviral therapy was found to increase the frequency of neuropathy symptoms, with an increased mean intensity of 28%. A principal axis factor analysis with Promax rotation was used to assess the relationships in the frequency of use of the 18 self-care activities for neuropathy, revealing three distinct factors: (i) an interactive self-care factor; (ii) a complementary medicine factor; and (iii) a third factor consisting of the negative health items of smoking, alcohol, and street drugs. The study's results suggest that peripheral neuropathy is a common symptom and the presence of neuropathy is associated with self-care behaviors to ameliorate HIV symptoms. The implications for nursing practice include the assessment and evaluation of nursing interventions related to management strategies for neuropathy.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por VIH/complicaciones , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Cooperación del Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Periférico/epidemiología , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Periférico/terapia , Autocuidado/normas , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/complicaciones , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Distribución por Edad , Anciano , Analgésicos/uso terapéutico , Terapia Antirretroviral Altamente Activa/métodos , Estudios de Cohortes , Terapias Complementarias , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Infecciones por VIH/diagnóstico , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dimensión del Dolor , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Periférico/etiología , Prevalencia , Medición de Riesgo , Asunción de Riesgos , Autocuidado/tendencias , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Distribución por Sexo , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Persons living with HIV/AIDS use self-care for symptom management. This study assesses the use of marijuana as a symptom management approach for six common symptoms for persons living with HIV/AIDS--anxiety, depression, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. This sub-analysis of the efficacy of a symptom management manual encompasses the experiences of participants from sites in the U.S., Africa, and Puerto Rico. Baseline data are analyzed to examine differences in the use and efficacy of marijuana as compared with prescribed and over-the-counter medications as well as the impact on adherence and quality of life.