The nursing profession focuses on ensuring the population remains healthy. As a future Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) that concentrates on social determinants of health, the use of psychological theory; the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is likely to be beneficial in the effective management of the community’s health. The TPB is a theory in psychology that was proposed by Icek Ajezen as an improvement of the predictive power theory of reasoned action. It states that the combined effect of attitude towards behavior, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms shape the individuals' behavior. Focus on the theory proves that it is relevant when applied in FNP especially social determinants of health at the practitioner and the patient level as discussed by Jeong & Kim, (2016) and Ayodele, (2017) . This paper discusses how the TPB can be used to deal with the management of HIV effectively.
The use of TPB is applicable in the prevention of HIV transmission and its management. Both ways are within the areas of practice of the FNP that focuses on social determinants of health. The understanding of how individuals choose to use or not to use infection prevention measure such as the use of condoms each time they engage in intercourse can prevent new infections. Several studies conducted on the topic emphasize the possibility of TPB being beneficial in HIV management. The research includes the one done on South African university student on their choice to use condoms (Ayodele, 2017).
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The TPB is also applicable to the management of people living with HIV. Some of the fundamental aspects of managing their health is ensuring that they access and use counseling, testing and medication sessions. Research by Ayodele, (2017), indicates that the TPB can be used to understand the behavior of people l choose or fail to use the availed HIV management resources such as counseling and testing centers. Desta, Sinishaw & Bizuneh, (2017), also undertakes a similar study though does not tie the intervention to the theory. Nonetheless, the understanding of the patient's behavioral choices and the influences are likely to make FNP plan on maximizing the effectiveness of the availed health management resources.
In conclusion, as a future FNP that concentrates on social determinants of health, it is possible to use the physiological Theory of Planned Behavior in the prevention of new infections and the management of people living with HIV. The understanding of why people choose to use or not to use infection prevention methods such as wearing a condom during intercourse can prevent new infections. The management of the people living with HIV, on the other hand, involves the understanding of their behavior on why they choose to use or not use available health management resources such as the testing and counseling facilities. An understanding of the rationale behind their choice is likely to guide the FNP in devising measures that maximize health management.
References
Ayodele, O. (2017). The Theory of Planned Behavior as a Predictor of HIV Testing Intention. American Journal of Health Behavior , 41 (2), 147-151. doi: 10.5993/ajhb.41.2.5
Desta, W., Sinishaw, M., & Bizuneh, K. (2017). Factors Affecting Utilization of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Services among Teachers in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. AIDS Research And Treatment , 2017 , 1-9. doi: 10.1155/2017/9034282
Jeong, S., & Kim, K. (2016). Influencing factors on hand hygiene behavior of nursing students based on theory of planned behavior: A descriptive survey study. Nurse Education Today , 36 , 159-164. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2015.09.014
Woldeyohannes, D., Asmamaw, Y., Sisay, S., Hailesselassie, W., Birmeta, K., & Tekeste, Z. (2017). Risky HIV sexual behavior and utilization of voluntary counseling and HIV testing and associated factors among undergraduate students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Public Health , 17 (1). doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4060-y
