ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be the second leading cause of death for persons ages 25 to 44 years in the United States, whereas new HIV infection rates remain steady. Coupled with the advent of new antiviral therapies that have significantly decreased mortality and morbidity rates, the importance of the primary care clinician in HIV prevention, early detection, and treatment is paramount. This article presents HIV risk analysis and prevention strategies for the primary care clinician practice. New HIV testing methods are reviewed as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) pretest and posttest counseling guidelines.
Subject(s)
AIDS Serodiagnosis/methods , Counseling/methods , HIV Infections/diagnosis , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Primary Health Care/methods , AIDS Serodiagnosis/nursing , Adult , HIV Infections/etiology , HIV Infections/psychology , Humans , Nursing Assessment , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The skin may be the most commonly affected organ in patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease. As the body's natural immune mechanism deteriorates, susceptibility to bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic agents increases. This may be manifested in a variety of ways, ranging from pruritus and generalized xerosis to severe infections with opportunistic agents. It is important that all clinicians be aware of the dermatologic manifestations of the infection, because inspection may lead to early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus disease or early recognition of a life-threatening illness.
Subject(s)
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections , HIV Infections/complications , Skin Diseases/virology , Skin Neoplasms/virology , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Nurse Practitioners , Skin Diseases/diagnosis , Skin Diseases/therapy , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/therapyABSTRACT
This study compared the health beliefs of Mexican Americans concerning the specific symptom of chest pain to beliefs of a group of predominant culture nurse practitioners and a lay predominant culture control group. Two hypotheses were examined; The health beliefs of groups differ significantly with culture and the health beliefs of groups differ significantly with professional education. A 43-item structured questionnaire was developed, based on literature review and unstructured interviews with Mexican American respondents. the questionnaire was administered to three nonprobability samples of 30 subjects each: Mexican Americans, nurse practitioners, and lay controls. Significant differences were found between Mexican Americans and the predominant culture groups of nurse practitioners and lay controls on folk beliefs regarding chest pain. On some items significant differences between nurse practitioners and the lay groups of Mexican Americans and predominant culture controls were based on professional education.
