Health Behaviors of Working-Age Patients with HIV/AIDS Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in National Northeastern Border Provincial Hospitals

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive research was to study the health behaviors of
working-age patients with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy in national northeastern
border provincial hospitals. The sample group consisted of 153 patients at ten hospitals
recruited between November 2013 and March 2014. The research tools included a
demographic data questionnaire and the Health Behaviors of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS
Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy tool, developed by Suwanna Boonyaleepun (2007). Data
analysis used descriptive statistics including frequency, percentage, mean and standard
deviation.
The overall health behaviors score was high ( Χ =3.44, S.D.=0.36).Sub-categories
ofhealth behaviorranged from high to highest levels: 1)spiritual growth ( Χ =3.71, S.D.=0.41), 2)
health responsibility ( Χ =3.63, S.D.=0.27), 3) stress management (Χ =3.59, S.D.=0.53), 4) nutrition
( Χ =3.42, S.D.=0.51), 5) interpersonal relations (Χ =3.33, S.D.=0.51), and 6) physical activity
(Χ =2.93, S.D.=0.71)
The findings from the study suggests that these six aspects of health behaviors
should be continuously monitored by healthcare providers, especially health responsibility.
Specific behaviors of importance include taking antiretroviral regimens on time, avoidance
of smoking and alcohol, condom usage, protection from opportunistic infection, prevention
of transmission of HIV infection, nutrition, physical activity and interpersonal relations.