Self-care activities of long-term survivors of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

The article reports the self-care activities of long-term survivors of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A naturalistic, descriptive study design using ethnographic interviewing techniques was employed to interview 14 men and 6 women who had AIDS for at least 3 years. The self-care activities reported were globally labeled as taking care of oneself. Discontinuing negative health habits, undertaking health-promoting activities, being responsible for one's health, and decreasing stress were reported by participants as behaviors allowing them to survive and thrive with AIDS. This study offers nurses strategies to assist people in all stages of human immunodeficiency virus disease to find health within the context of their illness.