| Autor: |
Stanton AM; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA., Goodman GR; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA., Robbins GK; Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA., Looby SE; Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.; Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA., Williams M; Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA., Psaros C; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA., Raggio G; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.; National Center for Weight and Wellness, Washington, District of Columbia, USA. |
| Abstrakt: |
Midlife women with HIV (WWH) are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet little is known about perceptions of CVD risk and the factors that influence engagement in heart health behaviors in this population. Few (if any) studies have used a qualitative approach to examine these perceptions, which has important implications for minimizing the negative impact of HIV-related noncommunicable diseases, the risk for which increases after midlife. Eighteen midlife WWH (aged 40-59) in Boston, MA, completed semistructured interviews to explore perceptions of CVD, HIV, and barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Participants viewed heart health as important but were unaware of HIV-associated CVD risk. Facilitators included family and generational influences, social support, and access to resources. Physical symptoms, menopause, mental health challenges, and limited financial resources were barriers. Midlife WWH may benefit from tailored CVD prevention interventions that target their unique motivations and barriers to healthy behaviors. |
