This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of self-management (SM) on the relationship between illness perception and quality of life (QOL) among Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).
A cross-sectional study.
We explored the effect of illness perception and self-management on QOL using the multiple regression model. Moreover, we conducted a simple mediation analysis to examine the role of SM in the relationship between illness perception and QOL. In addition, a parallel mediation analysis was performed to investigate the differences in domains of SM on the relationship between illness perception and QOL.
Among 300 Chinese HIV-positive MSM, the mean score of SM was 39.9 ± 6.97, with a range of 14.0–54.0. The higher score in SM indicated a higher level of HIV SM. SM was negatively related to illness perception (r = −0.47) while positively related to QOL (r = 0.56). SM partially mediated the relationship between illness perception and QOL, accounting for 25.3% of the total effect. Specifically, both daily self-management health practices and the chronic nature of the self-management domain played a parallel role in mediating the relationship between illness perception and QOL.
Our study demonstrated that SM was a significant factor influencing QOL among HIV-positive MSM. Focusing on daily self-management health practices and the chronic nature of self-management could be the potential key targets for enhancing HIV self-management strategies.
This study emphasized the role of SM in the well-being of HIV-positive MSM and underscored the importance of developing interventions that integrate SM strategies to improve QOL in this population.
No patient or public contribution.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with multiple adverse health consequences. Nurses (including midwives) are well positioned to identify patients subjected to IPV, and provide care, support, and referrals. However, studies about nursing response to IPV are limited especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study aimed to examine nurses' perceived preparedness and opinions toward IPV and to identify barriers and facilitators in responding to IPV.
An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted by collecting quantitative data first and explaining the quantitative findings with qualitative data.
The study was conducted in two tertiary general hospitals in northeastern (Shenyang city) and southwestern (Chengdu city) China with 1500 and 1800 beds, respectively. A total of 1071 survey respondents (1039 female [97.0%]) and 43 interview participants (34 female [79.1%]) were included in the study. An online survey was administered from September 3 to 23, 2020, using two validated scales from the Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted from September 15 to December 23, 2020, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.
The survey respondents largely agreed with feeling prepared to manage IPV, e.g., respond to discourses (544 [50.8%] of 1071) and report to police (704 [65.7%] of 1071). The findings of surveyed opinions (i.e., Response competencies; Routine practice; Actual activities; Professionals; Victims; Alcohol/drugs) were mixed and intertwined with social desirability bias. The quantitative and qualitative data were consistent, contradicted, and supplemented. Key qualitative findings were revealed that may explain the quantitative results, including lack of actual preparedness, absence of IPV-related education, training, or practice, and socially desirable responses (especially those pertaining to China's Anti-domestic Violence Law). Commonly reported barriers (e.g., patients' reluctance to disclose; time constraints) and facilitators (e.g., patients' strong need for help; female nurses' gender advantage), as well as previously unreported barriers (e.g., IPV may become a workplace taboo if there are healthcare professionals known as victims/perpetrators of IPV) and facilitators (e.g., nurses' responses can largely meet the first-line support requirements even without formal education or training on IPV) were identified.
Nurses may play a unique and important role in responding to IPV in LMICs where recognition is limited, education and training are absent, policies are lacking, and resources are scarce. Our findings support World Health Organization recommendations for selective screening.
The study highlights the great potential of nurses for IPV prevention and intervention especially in LMICs. The identified barriers and facilitators are important evidence for developing multifaceted interventions to address IPV in the health sector.