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Biomedical subjects

Richard L Sowell

Publications and source records attributed to Richard L Sowell.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Sleep quality and health-related quality of life in HIV-infected African-American women of childbearing age.

A descriptive, correlational design was used to examine the associations of sleep quality and stage of illness with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in HIV-infected African-American women. Participants were recruited from 12 health clinics and AIDS service organizations (ASO) in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The sample consisted of 144 African-American women who ranged in age from 20 to 48 years (m = 34.8, SD = 6.8). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Medical Outcomes Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) were administered. Participants were categorized as good sleepers (PSQI global score < 7) or poor sleepers (PSQI global score > or = 7) using the median global sleep quality score. Differences in HRQOL between good and poor sleepers, as measured by the SF-36, were tested using MANOVA. Good sleepers scored significantly higher (p < 0.0001) for each SF-36 quality of life dimension and the mental and physical health summary scores. Multiple regression analysis indicated that sleep quality is associated with HRQOL, independent of the individual's stage of illness, more so with mental HRQOL than with physical HRQOL. The results suggest that treatment for poor sleep quality should be a primary concern for the treatment of HIV infection and a means for improving HRQOL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Physiological and psychological correlates of fatigue in HIV disease.

Fatigue is a frequent symptom reported by persons living with HIV disease and one that affects all aspects of quality of life. To improve quality of care of persons with HIV disease, it is important to address all factors that contribute to fatigue. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations of physiological, psychological, and sociological factors with fatigue in an HIV-infected population. With Piper's integrated fatigue model guiding selection, factors examined in this study were hemoglobin, hematocrit, CD4+ cell count, HIV-RNA viral load, total sleep time, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, HIV-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. The sample (N = 79) for this descriptive correlational study was recruited from a primary health care association in South Carolina and consisted of 42 (53.2%) HIV-infected women and 37 (46.8%) HIV-infected men between the ages of 24 and 63 years (x = 39.9, s = 7.9). Of the participants, 70 (90%) were African American, 5 (6%) were Caucasian, and 3 (4%) were Hispanic. Using Pearson's r, significant relationships were observed between fatigue and sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, HIV-related symptoms, state anxiety, trait anxiety, depression, and perceived stress. Sleep quality (F5,65 = 12.02, P = 0.0009), state anxiety (F5,65 = 8.28, P = 0.0054), HIV-related symptoms (F5,65 = 4.87, P = 0.0308), and depression (F5,65 = 7.31, P = 0.0087) retained significance in a 3-step, backward stepwise elimination model and accounted for 67% of the variance in fatigue. These findings underscore the need for addressing psychosocial stressors and sleep quality in developing effective care for HIV-infected individuals who experience fatigue.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A partnership model to address the nursing shortage. The KSU accelerated BSN Program.

Metropolitan Atlanta and northwest Georgia, like other regions of the United States, face a critical shortage of nurses. To address this shortage, the Kennesaw State University (KSU) School of Nursing (SON) has developed and implemented a partnership model to offer second-degree students an accelerated BSN Program. The KSU model builds on a competitive statewide initiative that targets funds to educational and corporate collaborations as well as a growing number of nursing school non-nurse applicants who hold other baccalaureate degrees. To offer the accelerated BSN Program, the KSU nursing faculty developed an accelerated curriculum model that allows completion in 16 months. Further, a six member, collaborative partnership has been constructed to allow this curriculum to be offered to 40 second-degree students both on the KSU campus and as an outreach program in rural northwest Georgia. This article describes the accelerated BSN curriculum model as well as the partnerships constructed to implement and fund the program.

Community Networks↗
PubMed2002

Factors affecting reproductive decisions of African American women living with HIV.

PURPOSE: This exploratory study used focus groups to examine attitudes and beliefs of HIV-infected African American women of child-bearing age about pregnancy and antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: A convenience sample of thirty-three African American women of child-bearing age participated in five focus groups. Attitudes and beliefs about pregnancy decisions and the use of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy were examined. RESULTS: Many of the women in this study living with HIV remained committed to having children and expressed confusion about their chances of transmitting the virus to their children. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers must be aware of these concerns and convey clear and accurate information through the most readily accepted channels. Participants suggested that messages about these issues be conveyed by other women living with HIV who have faced these same decisions.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Incidence and correlates of physical violence among HIV-infected women at risk for pregnancy in the southeastern United States.

To identify the incidence and correlates of physical and sexual violence among HIV-infected women at risk for pregnancy, a cross-sectional examination was conducted within a longitudinal study of reproductive decision making. Participants consisted of 275 HIV-infected women 17 to 49 years of age (mean = 30.1 years). Women were predominantly African American (87%) and single (82%), with annual incomes of $10,000 or less (66%). Overall, 68% of the women reported experiencing lifetime physical and/or sexual violence. Before becoming HIV infected, 65% of the women reported having been physically or sexually abused. After HIV diagnosis, 33% of the women reported experiencing physical or sexual abuse. Women reporting greater violence were more likely to disclose their HIV-seropositive status to their sex partner. Using logistic regression, greater intent to get pregnant (odds ratio [OR] = 0.933), decreased present life satisfaction (OR = 1.048), having three or more children (OR = 0.474), and history of drug use (OR = 0.794) significantly distinguished between women who reported physical and/or sexual violence and those who did not.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Religion, relationships and mental health in midlife women following acute myocardial infarction.

Little is known about coping in women following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In midlife, women have worse outcomes than men following AMI. Innovative interventions need to be developed that respond to these women's unique recovery needs. In this correlational, descriptive study, 59 women aged 35-64 who had experienced AMI reported low satisfaction with life and decreased mental health; 49% were experiencing depression. However, they also reported that religion, family, and friends provided strength and comfort at the time of their AMI. Greater activation of simple, family-oriented, coping resources during recovery may be key. It is recommended that mental health nurses be essential members of the recovery planning team.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Social service needs and case management implications for individuals accessing a faith-based suburban homeless shelter.

The purpose of this study was to identify social service needs and case management implications for homeless and marginally housed individuals accessing services at a suburban faith-based agency. The overall goal for the study was to provide data from the perspectives and experiences of clients that could be used to develop and/or revise services to more fully facilitate clients' movement toward self-sufficiency. The study used an exploratory qualitative design. Study participants consisted of 38 men and women currently using agency services who participated in one of four focus group sessions. Thematic analysis of the content of the audiotapes of the group sessions revealed that the overarching issue for participants was the ability to obtain and maintain employment. Related to this issue were six themes: job readiness and support; self-esteem issues; substance use and treatment; communications; women's issues; and transportation. Based on these client-generated themes, a multi-level case management program is presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Attitudes toward antiretroviral therapy among African American women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine attitudes and beliefs of African American women of childbearing age, living with HIV, about pregnancy and antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted using an exploratory design with a convenience sample of HIV-infected women in 2 southeastern cities. RESULTS: Thirty-three African American women of childbearing age participated in 5 focus groups. Attitudes and beliefs about antiretroviral therapy were related to the women's willingness to comply with treatment. CONCLUSION: The challenge for health care providers is to counter women's willingness to "play the odds" of having a noninfected baby without taking antiretrovirals.

Adult↗