Factors influencing health-promoting behaviors in people living with HIV

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the health-promoting behaviors of the people living with HIV. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. The study participants included 99 people living with HIV recruited via the Korea HIV/AIDS Network of Solidarity from May 15 to August 15, 2012. Self-report questionnaires were used fo data collection measuring perceived stress, depression, self-efficacy, health-promoting behaviors (HPLP-II), and the perceived health status. The analysis was done using SPSS/Win 18.0 program. Descriptive statistics, pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA and stepwise multiple regressions were used for data analysis. Results: Perceived stress (r=-.21, p=.040), depression (r=-.37, p<.001), self-efficacy (r=.42, p<.001), perceived health status (r=.29, p=.003), and health-promoting behaviors were significantly correlated with each other. The self-efficacy, religion and perceived health status were significant factors, which explained about 26% of the variance of the health-promoting behaviors. Multiple regression analysis showed that a powerful predictor of health-promoting behaviors among people living with HIV was self-efficacy. Conclusion: This study suggested that a focus of nursing intervention program on self-efficacy is necessary in order to increase health-promoting behaviors among people living with HIV.