Background: Although biomedical research is being conducted on long-term no
nprogressors with HIV disease, there is relatively little research on the p
sychosocial factors influencing this phenomenon.
Objective: To describe the perceptions of long-term nonprogressors of their
HIV disease and its course.
Method: A naturalistic study design was used to elicit information from 25
men and women who were long-term nonprogressors (HIV positive for 7 or more
years, CD4 count > 500, and free of opportunistic infections and/or AIDS-d
efining illnesses). Audiotaped interviews were transcribed verbatim, and co
ntent analysis and constant comparison were used to elicit themes.
Results:Themes include viewing HIV as a manageable illness, taking care of
my physical health, human connectedness, taking care of my emotional/mental
health, and spirituality. Specific ways of adapting to HIV are identified
within each theme.
Conclusions: The results of this study can be used by nurses who work with
HIV positive individuals in an effort to help them adopt strategies that ma
y assist them in maintaining their health. However, longitudinal studies th
at follow this group over time and that include biomedical markers of disea
se progression would provide knowledge that would assist in the refinement
of these interventions.