Publications by authors named "Jennifer G Okonsky"

Women aged 15-24 years have an HIV infection rate twice that of men the same age. In this study we examined reasons why HIV-infected women taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) report missing HIV medications. Women (N = 206) on ART were 2.

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HIV self-management is central to the health of people living with HIV and is comprised of the daily tasks individuals employ to manage their illness. Women living with HIV are confronted with social context vulnerabilities that impede their ability to conduct HIV self-management behaviors, including demanding social roles, poverty, homelessness, decreased social capital, and limited access to health care. We examined the relationship between these vulnerabilities and HIV self-management in a cross-sectional secondary analysis of 260 women living with HIV from two U.

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Objective: To develop and validate the HIV Self-management Scale for women, a new measure of HIV self-management, defined as the day-to-day decisions that individuals make to manage their illness.

Methods: The development and validation of the scale was undertaken in 3 phases: focus groups, expert review, and psychometric evaluation. Focus groups identified items describing the process and context of self-management in women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA).

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HIV medication adherence remains a challenge for people taking antiretroviral therapy. In the last decade research in this area has proliferated, yet there is a need for novel research approaches that provide information on the development of successful medication adherence interventions. This study examined several key potential correlates of reasons for missed medication in a diverse sample of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) from nine cities in the US using an ordinal regression model.

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This article describes issues to consider when planning and conducting international research projects. Key considerations include building collaboration, developing a comprehensive and feasible research plan, funding and budgets, addressing human subjects concerns, and analyzing and disseminating project findings. These considerations and related methodological issues are discussed in the context of a replication pilot project conducted outside Kampala, Uganda.

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Nurses working in a regional hospital represent the largest group of health care workers in Uganda. Four hundred seventy-seven nurses and midwives completed the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) knowledge and attitude surveys (86% response rate). Approximately 95% (n = 452) had provided care to HIV/AIDS patients; yet 86% (n = 388) believed resources to obtain HIV/AIDS information were inadequate.

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