Nursing diagnoses and their components in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients

Abstract

Objective: To identify nursing diagnoses in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and to analyze the association between the most frequent diagnoses and their defining characteristics, and related or risk factors in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed with 113 patients admitted in a hospital in Northeast Brazil. An anamnesis script and physical exams were carried out for data analysis. The diagnoses went through a peer-review process conducted by the authors. The association occurred through Pearson's Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Twenty-four diagnoses were identified. The most frequent had a statistically significant relationship with their components and were included in the domains of health promotion, perception/cognition, sexuality, and life principles. Conclusion: The most prevailing nursing diagnoses were ineffective protection, deficient knowledge, noncompliance, and sexual dysfunction. Overall, the defining characteristics and diagnostic factors showed a significant association.