Positive Self-Management Program for Women Living With HIV: A Descriptive Analysis

There is an increasing need for community-based interventions to help women living with HIV better manage their symptoms and self-care. The investigators conducted a small descriptive pilot study to assess whether women living with HIV needed and wanted a community-based symptom management workshop, such as the Positive Self-Management Program (PSMP). A total of 7 HIV-infected adult women participated in five, 2-hour semi-structured focus groups and completed a brief survey on demographic information, HIV medications, HIV symptoms, and self-efficacy. Quantitative and qualitative data are presented. This pilot study suggests that urban-dwelling, HIV-infected women are interested in participating in a community-based, peer-led intervention and that the program may facilitate symptom management. Nurses caring for women living with HIV should consider referring their patients to community-based, peer-led programs that teach symptom management strategies.

Keywords: AIDS, community, HIV, symptom management, women