Factors affecting health-promoting behavior among female prisoners infected with HIV in a correctional institution

Abstract

     This survey research with the objectives: (1) to examine personal characteristics and individual experiences, including age, duration of HIV infection, duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), knowledge about AIDS, and self-esteem, that influence health-promoting behaviors among female inmates living with HIV in a correctional facility; and (2) to explore cognitive and affective factors related to behavior, including perceived benefits of action, perceived barriers to action, perceived self-efficacy, and social support, that affect health-promoting behaviors in this population. The study sample consisted of 120 female inmates aged 18 years and over, diagnosed with HIV infection (both newly and previously diagnosed cases), receiving ART, and without AIDS symptoms. Research instruments included structured questionnaires on demographic information, AIDS knowledge, self-esteem, perceived benefits and barriers to action, perceived self-efficacy, social support, and health-promoting behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and multiple regression analysis, with the level of statistical significance set at .05.

     Results indicated that four factors significantly predicted health-promoting behaviors among female inmates with HIV: perceived barriers to action (β = –.776, p<.001), perceived benefits of action (β = .155, p<.05), social support (β = .212, p<.05), and AIDS knowledge (β = .055, p<.001). Together, these predictors explained 61.3% of the variance in health-promoting behaviors (R² = .613, p<.001).