Religious and spiritual coping in people living with HIV/Aids

Spirituality, religiosity, and their representations for people living with HIV: daily life and its experiences

OBJECTIVE

To describe the process of living with HIV/AIDS in the daily life of people living with HIV in its interface with the social representations of spirituality and religiosity.

METHOD

Qualitative research, supported by the theory of social representations. A semi-structured interview was carried out with 32 people undergoing treatment for HIV in an outpatient clinic specialized in HIV/AIDS. Analysis carried out with the support of software IRAMUTEQ.

RESULTS

Participants were mostly men, aged over 51 years, Catholic, and living with the virus for more than 10 years. IRAMUTEQ generated three classes, in which the influence of spirituality and religiosity as a promoter of strength to face the infection and the difficulties in the process of coping with the diagnosis was observed, as well as the importance of the support network, and the naturalization of HIV/AIDS.

CONCLUSION

The participants make associations between spirituality and the transcendent and divine; religiosity was anchored to religion and its experience, with both being a source of support and strength. Therefore, it is important to make room for the patient to talk about their spiritual/religious needs.

The Medication Experience of TB/HIV Coinfected Patients: Qualitative Study

Tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pharmacotherapy and the stigma related to both diseases are complex. The patients' subjective experiences with diseases and medications are of utmost importance in pharmaceutical care practice. This study aimed to understand the subjective medication experience of TB and HIV/AIDS coinfected patients. The study was based on descriptive research of a qualitative and quantitative nature using data collected during pharmaceutical care appointments and from medical records from September 2015 to December 2016 at a tertiary infectious diseases referral hospital in Southeastern Brazil. Data from 81 patients were analyzed. Regarding patient subjective medication experience, the following responses to the quantitative questionnaire were most frequent: preference for a route of administration (12.4%) and for non-pharmacological therapy (50.6%); concerns about price (11.1%) and adverse effects (18.5%); and association of a worsening of their health status with a change in medication dosage (23.5%). In the thematic analysis, adversity and socially constructed aspects were more prominent. Resolvability, associated with the patient's understanding of relief from signs and symptoms and health recovery, was observed; however, feelings of ambivalence permeated the other aspects, hence leading to treatment abandonment. The evaluation of patient medication experience can be a path to understanding and intervening in the phenomenon of treatment abandonment among TB and HIV/AIDS coinfected individuals.

Relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life and some related factors in patients with AIDS/HIV

Objective

The study of effective factors on the quality of life (QoL), as an important criterion, in the outcome of new therapeutic and preventive strategies in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been considered by researchers. To study the relationship between spiritual well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and some related factors in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ([AIDS]/HIV).

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 224 people were selected as the study population (112 were male and 112 were female) from patients with AIDS/HIV at the Behavioral Counseling Center of Shiraz with available sampling method. The research tool was Palutzian & Ellison well-being scale and QoL Questionnaire (SF-36). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test.

Results

There was a significant direct relationship between physical function dimensions (P = 0.003). There was a significant relationship between general well-being, mental well-being, and total spiritual well-being (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant relationship between the dimensions of QoL and spiritual well-being with some age section of the patients, and their occupation and education (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Spirituality has an impact on the QoL dimensions. Therefore, HIV positive people's quality of life could be improved by the possibility of the spiritual well-being promotion as a method of adaptation with the disease.

Spiritual Needs as Expressed by People Living with HIV: A Systematic Review

It has been previously demonstrated that religiosity and spirituality can help support people living with HIV. Despite this, little work has been undertaken on this theme. Using the PRISMA methodology, we reviewed academic literature from 2008 to 2020 to summarize how people living with HIV define spiritual needs. We found fifty-nine distinct types of approach that were related to this theme and were grouped into four main categories: religious needs, social needs, existential needs, and emotional needs. Religious needs were more frequently cited, including individual prayers, the ingestion of miraculous medicines, and so on. The study calls attention to the concept’s multidimensionality and the cultural differences in the included papers. It reveals the need of each culture to research, to find an adequate meaning of spirituality, and to cater to the spiritual needs for people living with HIV as part of their healthcare, before setting health policies.

Healthcare needs of people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A qualitative descriptive study

AIM

A better understanding about the health care and support needs is beneficial to maintain the linkage between People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWH) and healthcare services. This study aims to explore the healthcare needs of PLWH from their perspectives.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive study design was undertaken in July 2017 to June 2018.

METHODS

Fourteen participants were recruited by purposive sampling technique. Face-to-face in-depth interview and focus-group discussion (FGD) were conducted and analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS

Data revealed five themes, namely the needs to be free from stigma and discrimination, strengthen life spirit, have safe sexual practices, social support, and have accessible and affordable healthcare services.

CONCLUSION

People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus have their own perspectives on their healthcare needs. Therefore, nurses and other healthcare providers need to explore, understand, and respond to the needs, and incorporate them into comprehensive and holistic care.

Religious coping and hope in chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of prayer on religious/spiritual coping and on the hope of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

METHOD

Randomized, controlled and blinded clinical trial, carried out in a dialysis unit, with a total of 62 patients undergoing hemodialysis - 31 participants in intervention group and 31 in the control group. Intercession prayer was applied three times, in alternate weeks, during hemodialysis sessions. Differences between groups in the outcome of the effect of prayer on religious/spiritual coping and hope were analyzed.

RESULTS

Participants used positive coping at high mean scores in both groups (control - 3.62 and intervention - 3.26) and negative coping had little use (control - 1.66 and intervention - 1.47). The use of total coping was between 2.35 and 2.48 in the intervention group (p = 0.015). Hope variables were better in the intervention group: optimism (p = 0.001), short- and long-term plans (p = 0.004), remembering happy moments (p = 0.039) and valuing life (p = 0.050).

CONCLUSION

The use of prayer promotes an increase in religious/spiritual coping and hope. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials: RBR-4pphkf.

Motherhood and decision-making among women living with HIV in developed countries: a systematic review with qualitative research synthesis

BACKGROUND

Women living with HIV (WLH) lack evidence-based information about reproductive options while managing pressures from family, clinicians, and communities to give up the idea of having children. As the reproduction intentions of WLH are not well understood, stigmatizing behaviors force them to hide their disease to avoid rejection by their family, partner, and social networks. Compliance with social norms, fear of stigma, and discrimination influence their experience. Current research is individual qualitative studies lacking the synthesis perspective necessary to guide intervention development. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the evidence to explain the reproductive decision-making process for WLH in developed countries.

METHODS

A systematic review with qualitative research synthesis was conducted through searches in 10 electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Social Science Citation Index, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cuidatge, Cuiden Enfispo, and SciELO). Studies published in journals from 1995 to 2019 with qualitative data about reproductive decision-making among WLH in developed countries were eligible for inclusion. Developed country was operationalized by membership in the OECD for comparative conditions of social wellbeing and economic stability. The CASP and JBI checklists for qualitative research were used to assess study quality and methodological integrity. Thematic analysis and qualitative meta-summary techniques were used for the synthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty studies from 12 developed countries were included in the synthesis. Findings were organized into 3 meta-themes from 15 themes and 45 subthemes, including: (1) Shattered identity, (2) Barriers, inequities, and misinformation, (3) Coping, resiliency, and support. Reproductive decision-making was perceived as a complex process influenced by facilitators and barriers. The facilitators helped WLH cope with their new situation to become more resilient, while the barriers made their situation more difficult to manage.

CONCLUSION

WLH encounter reproductive decision-making with knowledge deficits and limited social support. An integrated approach to holistic care with comprehensive multidisciplinary counseling is needed to support WLH. Clinicians could benefit from professional development to learn how to be authentically present for WLH, including engaging in conversations, demonstrating compassion, and understanding situations. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines need to be tailored for the family planning and sexual health needs of WLH.

Health-Related Quality of Life Among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Jordan: An Exploratory Study

INTRODUCTION

Diagnosis of HIV/AIDS infection can have adverse effects on the individual and may affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Numerous studies have previously assessed the HRQoL of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) globally, but not in Jordan. The aim of the current study is to examine HRQoL among PLWHA residing in Jordan and to evaluate the effect of socio-demographic and disease-related factors on HRQoL.

METHODOLOGY

An exploratory approach employing a cross-sectional design was applied. The study applied a semi-structured face-to-face interview followed by administration of self-reported questionnaire using the World Health Organization's Quality of Life HIV brief questionnaire (WHOQOL-HIV-BREF).

RESULTS

Results showed that unemployment, low income, non-disclosure status, single status (separated, divorced or widowed), and having comorbidities were connected with poor HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

PLWHA require more than just being provided with antiretroviral therapy to rebuild their lives.

Classification of clinical risk in people with AIDS followed up in specialized care

AIM

To develop a clinical risk stratification score for people living with AIDS and to analyze its association with clinical and sociodemographic aspects.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study involving 150 adults with AIDS, in outpatient follow-up. A structured instrument was applied and, sequentially, inferential statistical techniques on the developed score.

RESULTS

45.3% of the participants were classified as in high clinical risk. TL-CD4+ <500cel/mm3 count, detectable viral load, presence of opportunistic diseases, chronic diseases and clinical manifestations were associated with high clinical risk. There was a significant difference in the mean risk between the categories of variables employment status (p = 0.003) and economic class (p = 0.035). There was a higher risk for brown people (OR = 5.55), unemployed status (OR = 16,51) and belonging to classes C (OR = 20.07) and D (OR = 53,32), and a lower risk for individuals with higher schooling (OR = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The proposed score quantifies clinical situations and points out sociodemographic aspects that predispose to instability and aggravation of AIDS, supporting the qualification of care.

Repercusiones de la espiritualidad en la vida de las mujeres que viven con el VIH

Introducción: La espiritualidad en pacientes que viven con el VIH ayuda a afrontar los pensamientos negativos provocados por la enfermedad. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer el impacto de la espiritualidad en la vida de las mujeres que viven con el VIH. Materiales y Métodos: Investigación cualitativa sobre historias de vida temáticas. La muestra está compuesta por siete mujeres que fueron diagnosticadas con VIH/SIDA hace más de un año. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó una entrevista semiestructurada con preguntas sobre el contexto social, situación sociodemográfica y clínica, religión y espiritualidad. Para el análisis de datos se empleó la técnica de análisis de contenidos. Los resultados se organizaron en dos categorías: la búsqueda de la fuerza en la espiritualidad y la esperanza de curación. Resultados: En momentos de angustia causados por el VIH/SIDA, todas las entrevistadas recurrieron a la espiritualidad a través de la oración e incluso a la materialización de la presencia de Dios como estrategias para afrontar la enfermedad. El anhelo de sanación mediante revelaciones divinas se expresa en los discursos de los entrevistados. Discusión: Según las historias de vida de las entrevistadas, la figura divina las ha fortalecido para hacer frente a los retos generados por el VIH/SIDA. Conclusiones: A través de esta investigación se pudo comprobar que la espiritualidad está presente en las vidas de las mujeres que viven con el VIH y que mitiga las adversidades producidas por la enfermedad. Cómo citar este artículo: Santos FDRP, Amaral LROG, Santos MA, Ferreira AGN, Moura JF, Brito LB. Repercussions of spirituality in the lives of women living with HIV. Rev Cuid. 2019; 10(3): e771. http://dx.doi.org/10.15649/cuidarte.v10i3.711

Coping strategies of people living with AIDS in face of the disease

Objective:

to identify the coping strategies of people living with aids to face the disease and analyze them according to sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle variables.

Method:

this is a cross-sectional quantitative study. The sample consisted of 331 people living with aids treated at an outpatient clinic at a referral hospital for treatment of aids. The Coping Strategies Inventory was used to collect the data.

Results:

emotion-focused coping modes were more frequently mentioned. The mean scores of women, workers, religious people, and people who never withdrew from the treatment were higher for all factors. Patients who had a partner, who lived with family members and who received treatment support, had higher mean scores in coping, withdrawal and social support factors. As for leisure and the practice of physical exercises, the emotion-focused modes also predominated. A correlation was identified between treatment time, schooling, family income and the factors of the Coping Strategies Inventory of.

Conclusion:

the study showed that the most frequent coping modes were those focused on emotion.