Feminização da AIDS: conhecimento de mulheres soropositivas sobre a transmissão e prevenção do HIV -1

Abstract

Introduction: FALTA Objective: to identify aspects related to ways of transmitting and preventing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and reported by HIV seropositive women. Method: Data were collected by means of recorded semi-structured interviews, which were guided by a specific form. Result: most participants mentioned they did not know about HIV transmission and prevention modes before finding out about the infection diagnosis. It is highlighted that 62% mentioned they did not know about the HIV transmission mechanisms, while 68% did not know about prevention measures. Among the possible ways of transmitting this virus, most women considered that vaginal and/or anal intercourse with condom is sufficient to prevent HIV transmission, and 12% of them did not consider oral sex a transmission way. Conclusion: it was concluded that, nowadays, there are still female HIV-1 patients with unsafe sexual behavior who continue underestimating the infection. There is an urgent need for multiprofessional actions, not only with a view to information on HIV prevention and transmission, but also to elaborate a health education program that allows for discussions and the implementation of actions able to give these women an active role in this process.