Perceptions of immunity and immunity enhancing behaviors among HIV-positive persons
Date Issued
2004
Date
2004
Author(s)
Chen, Yi-Hsin
DOI
zh-TW
Abstract
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease highly correlated with immunity. The perceptions of immunity among people who were afflicted with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV positive persons) may affect their cognitive and behavioral responses to the disease. The purpose of this study is to explore HIV- positive persons’ concepts of immunity and immunity enhancing behaviors.
This study applied both qualitative and quantitative methods. A semi-structure questionnaire was developed to interview a total of 103 HIV-positive persons, with each interview taking an average of 40~60 minutes. The major findings are as the follows:
1. Immunity played multiple and flexible roles in HIV-positive persons’ daily life, and varied with physical and mental health status, environments, life style and behavioral patterns. HIV-positive persons adjusted their behaviors and attitudes in accordance with changes in immunity.
2. Four domains of immunity enhancing behaviors were reported by the HIV-positive participants: life style regulation, mental health enhancement, HAART adherence, and the use of complementary and alternative therapies.
3. Specific clinical indexes (such as CD4 or viral load) were employed by HIV-positive persons to monitor their immunity status. Most of the participants were able to interpret these indexes appropriately, and took them as guideline for illness management.
4. Participants agreed that excessive sexual activities may reduce personal immunity. They were also aware that the probability of cross infection would increase and which in turn would lessen the immunity if both were HIV-positive. Almost all of the participants recognized the importance of safer sex in the reduction of cross infection.
For HIV-positive persons, immunity is an indicator of health status, and has gradually become a concept of health status. It is suggested that the concept of immunity should be taken into account as a component of health concept in AIDS-related research. By capturing the patients’ conceptualization of immunity, clinical workers will be better aware of patient’s beliefs and attitudes toward their illness and HAART, and can provide appropriate interventions for patients holding different concepts of immunity.
Subjects
交叉感染
免疫增強行為
愛滋感染者
免疫力
愛滋病
immunity enhancing behaviors
cross infection
immunity
AIDS
HIV-positive person
SDGs
Type
thesis
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