Nursing Role in HIV Prevention and Management

Nursing Role in HIV Prevention and Management

While great strides have been made in HIV diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, a lot still needs to be done. According to the Center for Disease (2019), approximately 1.2 million people in the United States (U.S.) have HIV. Alarmingly, about 12.8 percent of people in the U.S. are not aware that they have HIV. In 2013, nearly 722 people in Arizona aged 13 and above were diagnosed with HIV. Approximately 25 percent of these individuals were diagnosed at the late stage of the disease. The Arizona status report indicates that these people have an increased risk of transmitting to other people, disease progression, and death (Center for Disease, 2019). Also, approximately 17,858 people died of HIV-related complications in 2012, and out of these, 216 were from Arizona (Center for Disease, 2019). Many government policies are in place to address HIV prevention. Many of these policies increase access to care and support. While these policies have been helpful, nurses also play a critical role in the prevention of HIV. Nursing practices enhance HIV prevention and management through patient assessment, patient/client education, and increasing community awareness.

Nurse Assessment

Nursing plays a crucial role in patient assessment. As the first line of contact with patients, nurses have the opportunity to examine the physical, emotional, behavioral, and mental health of patients. For example, when patients explain their sexual behaviors, nurses can deduce the possible presence of sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) (HIV Management, 2019). Many times, patients may not be aware that they could be infected with HIV.

The information that patients give to nurses provides crucial details that can help determine how to approach patient care. While asking patient questions, nurses can determine behaviors that put them at risk of HIV infections (HIV Management, 2019). In this regard, proper assessment of the patient can help nurses gather insight that can help offer patients better care and support. For example, if a patient claims to have unprotected sexual contact with multiple partners, the nurse can guide the patient in understanding the risk involved (Maina et al., 2016). Such assessments and analysis of patients promote practices that can help lead to early diagnosis and prevention of other transmissions.

Patient/Client Education

Patient education before or after an HIV diagnosis remains a key nursing role. Patient/client education leads to the adoption of protective behaviors and positive response to encourage optimal sexual health (Maina et al., 2016). Education applies to HIV prevention and even at the point of diagnosis to ensure the management of the disease. Nurses provide training on preventive measures such as abstinence, use of condoms, maintenance of one sexual partner, and regular testing, among others. Preventive education also includes informing the patient about the risk factors and complications associated with HIV infection (HIV Management, 2019). Nurses can help promote health-promoting behaviors among people to reduce risks of HIV infections. Nursing can also enhance HIV management at the point of diagnosis. Even though the patient is HIV positive, education can help prevent people from infecting others. Maina et al. (2016) claim that education assists patients in understanding proven treatment modalities, healthy sexual behaviors that they can adopt, eating habits, and the support available such as group therapies. It is through these nursing efforts that HIV infections can be minimized.

Community Sensitization

Nursing can also be used to create community sensitization of HIV prevention and management. Nurses have an essential role in providing first-hand, credible information to individuals within the community. Salam et al. (2014) assert that educating communities increases awareness about a problem and prompts action or change to promote health. Nurses can develop outreach programs to educate the public about HIV infections and how people can protect themselves. Some of these programs can include establishing a free counseling and testing center, using strategies that eliminate the stigma associated with HIV, and encouraging early detection for those who are sexually active. Information about ways of transmission, strategies that those in relationships can use, and what to do when one finds out they are infected. Many of these community efforts empower patients to take care of their health and prevents the continued transmission of the infection to others (Salam et al., 2014). The more awareness about HIV prevention occurs, the higher the chances of having more people escape the disease. It is important to sensitize people on the best ways to protect themselves or how to manage the disease once diagnosed.

Conclusion

HIV infection is still a problem facing many people in society. There are many people with the disease but are not aware. Nursing plays a crucial role when it comes to the prevention and management of HIV infection. As the first contact with patients, they can assess patient behaviors and attitudes to encourage health-promoting practices. Nursing also plays a role in patient education. Nurses can educate clients on how to prevent HIV infection while also providing patients with crucial education on how to manage the disease. Finally, nurses can create awareness in the community. Many sensitization programs can be designed to provide information and guidance that enhance the efforts of preventing HIV infection.

 

 

 

References

Center for Disease Control (2019). Public Health Professionals Gateway: Prevention Status Reports. Retrieved from https://wwwn.cdc.gov/psr/

HIV Management for Nurses and Midwives. (2019). Retrieved from https://hivmanagement.ashm.org.au/client-education/client-education-for-hiv-prevention/

Maina, G., Mill, J., Chaw-Kant, J., & Caine, V. (2016). A systematic review of best practices in HIV care. Journal of HIV/AIDS & social services, 15(1), 114-126.

Salam, R. A., Haroon, S., Ahmed, H. H., Das, J. K., & Bhutta, Z. A. (2014). Impact of community-based interventions on HIV knowledge, attitudes, and transmission. Infectious diseases of poverty, 3(1), 26.