Multidimensional Frailty, Quality of Life and Self-Management in Aging Hispanics Living With HIV.

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted to examine multidimensional frailty and its potential impact on quality of life (QOL) in aging Hispanic people living with HIV (PLWH) and assess the extent to which HIV self-management moderates this association. The sample included 120 Hispanic PLWH aged 50 years and older (M = 59.11; SD = 7.04). The structural equation modeling analyses demonstrated that multidimensional frailty was significantly related to QOL in its two dimensions, physical and mental (p < .001). The relationship between multidimensional frailty and mental and physical QOL remained significant even after controlling for confounders (age and gender). The moderator analyses indicated no statistically significant moderator effect of HIV self-management on multidimensional frailty and mental or physical QOL. These study results have practical implications that highlight the need for early screening for frailty with a multidimensional focus. Age-appropriate and culturally tailored interventions to prevent or mitigate multidimensional frailty may improve QOL.

Facilitadores y barreras que enfrentan las personas al tomarse el test de ELISA para el diagnóstico del VIH: revisión de la literatura / Facilitators and barriersto HIV testing: A literature review

Background: Late diagnosis of HIV is a problem of international and national relevance. Despite the availability of HIV testing in primary health care, it is often performed too late. Aim: To identify facilitators and barriers to early HIV testing in primary health care. Methods: Four databases of nursing, psychological, biomedical, and health related professions areas were examined with a review protocol. Results were grouped into two main subjects: facilitators and barriers occurring among the population, among health care workers, and within primary health care centers. Results: Perception of risk behaviors, self-care, social support, trust, confidentiality of the examination, the offer of the examination, and the knowledge of early treatment have been recognized as facilitators for taking the exam. The lack of information about the test and the disease are recognized as the main barrier to access the test. This information is a cornerstone to design and implement strategies to increase the number of people taking voluntarily HIV testing.

Introducción: El diagnóstico tardío de la infección por VIH es un problema universal. A pesar de la disponibilidad del test de ELISA para el diagnóstico de esta infección en la atención primaria de salud, las personas continúan tomándoselo tardíamente. Objetivo: Conocer los factores que facilitan o dificultan que las personas accedan oportunamente al examen en la atención primaria de salud. Métodos: Cuatro bases de datos del área de la enfermería, psicológica, salud biomédica y profesiones afines (años 2001-2012) fueron examinadas con un protocolo de revisión. Resultados: De 195 artículos detectados, 15 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y fueron agrupados en dos grandes temas: elementos facilitadores y elementos obstaculizadores de la persona, de los profesionales y de los centros de atención primaria de salud. Percepción de conductas de riesgo, autocuidado, apoyo social, la confianza, confidencialidad del examen, el ofrecimiento del examen y el conocimiento de un tratamiento oportuno han sido reconocidos como uno de los elementos facilitadores para la toma del examen. La falta de información sobre el test y la enfermedad son reconocidas como los principales obstaculizadores para acceder al test. Discusión: La información obtenida es un pilar fundamental para diseñar e implementar estrategias destinadas a aumentar el número de personas que solicitan voluntariamente al examen.

[Facilitators and barriers to HIV testing: a literature review]. / Facilitadores y barreras que enfrentan las personas al tomarse el test de ELISA para el diagnóstico del VIH: revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Late diagnosis of HIV is a problem of international and national relevance. Despite the availability of HIV testing in primary health care, it is often performed too late. AIM: To identify facilitators and barriers to early HIV testing in primary health care. METHODS: Four databases of nursing, psychological, biomedical, and health related professions areas were examined with a review protocol. Results were grouped into two main subjects: facilitators and barriers occurring among the population, among health care workers, and within primary health care centers. RESULTS: Perception of risk behaviors, self-care, social support, trust, confidentiality of the examination, the offer of the examination, and the knowledge of early treatment have been recognized as facilitators for taking the exam. The lack of information about the test and the disease are recognized as the main barrier to access the test. This information is a cornerstone to design and implement strategies to increase the number of people taking voluntarily HIV testing.