The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #59173

Courtney J. Bradley, MPH, Karolynn Siegel, PhD, and Helen-Maria Lekas, PhD. Sociomedical Sciences/ Center for the Psychosocial Study of Health and Illness, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 100 Haven Avenue, Suite 6A, New York, NY 10032, 212-304-5572, cjb133@columbia.edu

In-depth interviews were conducted (between November 2000 and February 2002) with 100 HIV+ adults (age 50+) from New York City about their attributions for common symptoms, the sources of information utilized in appraising symptoms and coping strategies used to try to manage symptoms. Each interview explored three current symptoms.

Fatigue, discussed by 49 participants, was the most frequently mentioned symptom. HIV/AIDS was the most common attribution offered for fatigue (89.8%), although nearly all participants (91.8%) offered multiple attributions during the course of the symptom. Additional common attributions included comorbid conditions, age, and medications. Socially and psychologically based causes such as stress, depression, and relationship problems were less frequently offered as were diet, sleep problems, history of substance abuse, or inactivity. Gender and racial/ethnic differences were found in the causal attributions made.

Attributions were informed by discussions with physicians, nutritionists, family, and others with HIV, as well as social comparison processes and HIV-related reading materials. Most (85.7%) mentioned their fatigue to their physician at some point after it began. Some health care professionals suggested interventions to alleviate the symptom. Nearly all (93.9%) tried to manage the fatigue with self-care strategies such as the use of vitamins, lifestyle changes, modifications of daily routines to permit more rest time, and alternative therapies.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the varied attributions HIV+ older adults make for fatigue and sources that influence symptom appraisal.
• Identify the ways in which HIV+ older adults attempt to manage fatigue and how those may be affected by attributions made.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Self-Management

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Handout (.ppt format, 127.0 kb)