Biomedical subjects
Jan Russell
Publications and source records attributed to Jan Russell.
Failure to embrace the barrier/condom use message.
The objective of this study was to examine the consistency of barrier/condom use among men who have sex with men in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The authors sought to determine if barrier/condom usage patterns were associated with the type of sex act and whether it was insertive or receptive, HIV testing frequency, and number of sexual partners. Data were extracted from a 2003 community health assessment of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community in the metropolitan area. The health assessment instrument was anonymous, self-administered, and distributed at events in that community. Responses from 623 men indicated that consistent use of a barrier/condom was low regardless of the sex act. There was no relationship between barrier/condom usage patterns and HIV testing frequency for any sex act or the number of sex partners, with the exception of anal intercourse. The authors concluded that a different approach is needed to translate the barrier/condom use message into a behavioral response.
The patient-provider relationship and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Four studies completed since 1995 have highlighted the importance of the relationship between the provider and the patient in enhancing adherence behavior. This study extends this work by comparing adherent and nonadherent clients in one high-volume HIV clinic in which the majority of care is provided by nursing staff. The sample comprised 130 clients (108 adherent and 22 nonadherent). Adherence status was determined by clinic staff using established procedures. The indicator of the patient-provider relationship was satisfaction with the care provider as measured within the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Client groups differed significantly on perception of interpersonal manner of care provider (p =.018), care provider conduct total (p <.001), and quality total (p =.017). These findings are consistent with earlier work and underscore the potential importance of the patient-provider relationship as a focus of care for nurses.