Page 264 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

HIV SyMpTOM MANAGeMeNT AND QUAlITy OF lIFe n 231

risk behaviors and effective preventions in research are needed. Studies to test behav-
this population is very limited. Few research- ioral interventions for significant popula-
ers have identified barriers and facilitators of tions and to increase retention, recruitment, H
recruiting ethnic minorities to HIV-related and adherence to procedure for HIV preven-
research in hopes to provide fundamental tion are necessary as well. Methodological
information for future development of cul- issues, including criterion measures, valid-
tural sensitive HIV interventional programs ity of self-report risk behaviors, measures of
(Jemmott et al., 1999; lee, Salman, & Wang, drug use, culturally and linguistically appro-
2010). priate measurement tools, comparability, and
When examining the effectiveness of an generalizability of studies, need special con-
intervention, measurement issues regarding sideration. Studies that integrate behavioral,
the indications of the HIV risk behaviors are social, and biological measures and develop
especially important. Because of its complex improved methodologies for data collection
nature, HIV risk behaviors are measured var- including improvement of sampling, mea-
iously by researchers in terms of content and surement of risk factors, and evaluation of
form. In most of the existing correlational outcomes are considered in an urgent need.
studies, HIV risk behaviors were measured research that develops new approaches to
using “relative frequency” data collected address underrepresented or difficult-to-
through likert scales or “count data,” which reach populations in interventional studies
provided the accurate number of behav- are one top priority for future research on
ioral events used in interventional studies HIV prevention as well (OAr, 2010).
(Schroder, carey, &Vanable, 2003). The “con- Bridges between research, theory, practice,
dom use” measure is the most frequently and policy as well as with other disciplines
used indicator for HIV risk behaviors in must be built. Future nursing studies in this
many related behavioral studies. Many inter- field are suggested to include biological mark-
ventional programs also focus on improving ers that can bolster the validity of the studies
the constant condom use. and to include various cultural populations.
The critical priorities of research related Developing a specific HIV risk behavioral
to HIV risk behavior are in concerns with reduction theory from the nursing perspec-
the goals of reducing HIV incidence, increas- tive will be useful and efficacious for nurses to
ing access to care and optimizing health apply to the reduction of HIV risk behaviors.
outcomes, and reducing HIV-related health
disparities (NIH Office of AIDS research Yi-Hui Lee
[OAr], 2010). To understand how to change Ali Salman
behaviors and maintain adopted protective
behaviors for reducing HIV risks, studies
to investigate biological behavioral interac-
tions and social dynamics on changes of Hiv syMptoM ManageMent
HIV risk behaviors are needed (OAr, 2010).
It is a continuing need to conduct HIV/AIDS- anD Quality of life
related research at the community level and
within specific populations (e.g., women,
racial and ethnic populations, men who have persons living with human immunodefi-
sex with men [MSM], homeless people, peo- ciency virus (HIV) and receiving antiretro-
ple affected with psychiatric disorders, and viral (ArV) therapy often experience severe
drug users). longitudinal and multivariate physical, psychological and cognitive symp-
studies to detect causal relationships and the toms (Wantland et al., 2008). ArV therapy
changing patterns of HIV risk behaviors and has also resulted in anthropomorphic and