Applied nursing research : ANR
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Symptom management in HIV/AIDS is a critical issue that influences the quality of life of those living with the disease. Although the goals of treating the numbers living with HIV/AIDS have not yet been achieved, availability of antiretroviral therapies (ARVs) has been expanded to many clinical settings in KwaZulu-Natal, the epicenter of HIV infection in South Africa. The South African Department of Health (2007) estimates indicate that 5.54 million South Africans are living with HIV/AIDS, whereas UNAIDS (2007) estimates suggest that 18.8% of the population in South Africa is affected. ⋯ However, those who reported higher adherence were 1.5 times more likely to report greater physical health than low adherers (p = .04). High adherers were also 1.6 times more likely to report greater psychological health than low adherers (p = .03). This suggests that further study is needed to investigate adherence motivations for those living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa because adherence seems not to be linked to the frequency of symptoms or limitations on activity related to symptoms.
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This survey study describes nurses' perspectives about call light usage and response time. Staff perceived call lights as being patient safety related (52%) and meaningful (81.6%), and answering calls prevented them from doing the critical aspects of their role (43.8%). Staff's perspectives toward call lights should be surveyed on a regular basis.