Objetivou-se avaliar a esperança na vida de mulheres infectadas pelo HIV mediante uso da Escala de Esperança de Herth (EEH). Participaram 111 mulheres portadoras de HIV atendidas em ambulatório de referência em Fortaleza-CE. De janeiro a maio de 2009, foram conduzidas entrevistas que captaram variáveis biopsicossociais e aplicou-se a EEH. Os dados analisados pelo programa SPSS-8.0 revelaram índice médio de esperança de 34,86, apontando que as mulheres possuem moderada esperança na vida diante da vigência do HIV, cujo item da escala com maior pontuação relacionou-se à fé (3,57). Isto provavelmente decorre do fato de a AIDS não ter cura, ser transmissível e produzir estigma, estando ainda relacionada à ideia de morte iminente. Conclui-se que a medida da esperança entre portadores de HIV, mediante o uso de um instrumento, possibilita avaliar e planejar intervenções, promovendo ajuda e motivação para viverem melhor e manterem a esperança na vida.

Objectives:To evaluate the level of hope among the three different groups and correlate their levels with demographic and clinical variables. Methods: Descriptive study with a sample of 131 individuals (including 47 cancer patients, 40 diabetic patients and 44 caregivers/ family / caregivers) responding to Hertha's Scale of Hope, Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and an instrument including personal data. Results: There was no difference in hope scores between groups. Hope was positively correlated with self-esteem and negatively correlated with depression. For cancer patients, the hope score was not related to any clinical variable. For diabetic patients, different forms of treatment and other comorbidities were not found to influence hope. RESUMENObjetivos: Evaluar el escore de esperanza entre los tres diferentes grupos y sus variables sociodemográficas y clínicas y correlacionar la esperanza con esas variables. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo con una muestra constituida por 131 individuos -47 pacientes oncológicos, 40 pacientes diabéticos y 44 acompañantes/ familiares/cuidadores -que respondieron a las Escalas de Esperanza de Herth y de Autoestima de Rosenberg, el Inventario de Depresión de Beck, y un instrumento con datos personales. Resultados: No hubo diferencia en los escores de esperanza entre los grupos. La esperanza se correlacionó positivamente con la autoestima y negativamente con la depresión. Para pacientes oncológicos, el escore de esperanza no se relacionó a ninguna variable clínica. Para los pacientes diabéticos, las diferentes formas de tratamiento y otras co-morbidades no influyeron en la esperanza. Conclusión: Los pacientes con enfermedad crónica y sus familiares presentaron escores altos de esperanza. La mensuración de la esperanza puede mejorar el cuidado de enfermería.

Objective:Identifying the predictors of hope in patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy treatment. Method: A prospective longitudinal study. The sample was composed of 122 women who responded to the instruments of hope, anxiety and depression, coping, fatigue, religiosity and self-esteem in the first and last cycle of chemotherapy. These variables were used in adjusting the logistic regression model that characterized multivariate statistics, allowing identification of predictor variables. Result: The increase of hope at the end of chemotherapy treatment was statistically significant (p = 0.012). The delay in undergoing treatment from the onset of breast cancer symptoms, Karnofsky Performance Status, depression, self-esteem and pain were characterized as factors being associated to hope by univariate analysis. Among the variables analyzed, pain was the only predicting factor of hope. Conclusion: Pain was the predicting factor in this sample. Hope increased during treatment and revealed the following associated factors: Karnofsky Performance Status, delay in starting the treatment, depression, selfesteem and pain. This study brought forth a multidisciplinary contribution, allowing for understanding the factors that can influence hope and presenting support to nursing care. The data evidenced conditions of improvement or worsening of hope, which requires interdisciplinary attention in Oncology. DESCRIPTORS INTRODUCTIONThe diagnosis of cancer arouses innumerable feelings and emotions, among them, hope. This feeling can be seen as a resource that helps patients in coping with psychological suffering associated to the disease (1)(2)(3) . In the medical field, all definitions of hope involve something that is desired in the future, and when it is associated to the present it can have a positive influence on well-being or, at least, reflect in a positive state (2) . Having hope is essential after a cancer diagnosis is disclosed, since the news can cause suffering and is usually received as a threat. The patient often believes that the diagnosis of cancer is a death sentence, probably resulting in a profound loss of hope, leading to deleterious consequences to their prognosis (4) . Maintaining hope enables incurable cancer patients to accept treatment or clinical research, even if there are few benefits (2) . The study of this construct has aroused interest, as it seems to be directly related to the success of cancer treatments and management of signs and symptoms (5)(6) . Hope presents some strategies that facilitate the daily practice of nursing. It is made feasible by human principles which are the basis of care, by the use of knowledge put into practice, by interpersonal relationships, and how health professionals handle the environment and care organization (7) . Nurses are an important source of hope for people who are vulnerable and ill, as they are in constant contact with those who are suffering (7) . This is particularly true for oncologic patients who, due to their long stay in the hospital ...