Percepções de mulheres profissionais do sexo sobre acesso do teste HIV: incentivos e barreiras

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to discuss perceived barriers and incentives for female sex workers for HIV testing in services provided by the Unified Health System (SUS). Qualitative research was conducted through semistructured interviews in the city of Fortaleza from 2012 to 2014. Of the women who tested in primary care (30%), the majority (64%) were tested during prenatal care. Concerning testing, 17% had never tested, 69% had tested at least once in their lifetime and 14% tested regularly. Identified as barriers were the lack of ondemand testing, prejudice, and lack of confidentiality. KEYWORDS HIV. Health vulnerability. Prostitution. Health services accessibility. Qualitative research. RESUMO Objetiva-se discutir as barreiras e os incentivos identificados pelas profissionais do sexo para a realização do teste HIV (Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana) relacionados com a organização das ações e serviços no

Incentives and barriers to HIV testing among female sex workers in Ceará

“…The main reported incentives for HIV testing were the availability of testing at locations other than the public health facilities, or at off-hours, and to offer rapid testing. As other studies have pointed out these factors are associated with a reduction in the time spent testing 14 , 23 , 24 and awaiting results 15 , 16 and reduction in the fear of being recognized by accessing an HIV-related health service.…”

“…The estimated prevalence of HIV infection in this study (3.8%, 95%CI 1.2–6.9) is similar to studies conducted in different regions of the country in the last 17 years 1 , 2 , 13 . Some factors need to be considered in interpreting HIV prevalence among FSW over the years: (i) most studies, including this one, were conducted in urban and more industrialized areas 1 , 2 , 14 ; (ii) there is methodological diversity among the studies 2 , 13 , 14 ; (iii) there were important political and social changes during this period that especially affected locations for recruitment of samples 2 , 4 , 8 , 15 , 16 .…”

“…The fear of being discriminated against if the test is HIV-positive is also an important barrier to testing 1 , 2 , 5 , 16 . Situations of stigma and social exclusion resulting from socioeconomic status, profession, race, among others, seem to contribute to distancing FSW from the health system, reducing the chance of access to early diagnosis for HIV 2 , 5 , 6 , 24 .…”

Care sharing for people with HIV/AIDS: a look targeted at young adults

“…The authors identify in their results that advances in the early diagnosis of HIV have been achieved; however, they bring the need to expand the coverage of HIV testing, especially considering the achievements established in relation to anti-retroviral drugs. They realize that, even with the advances relating to the provision of rapid tests in the primary health care, these tests are still being carried out, mainly in targeted prenatal testing (18) . In the study site, the rapid test can be taken both in BHU and TCC, and doctors of FHS have been encouraging the inclusion of rapid test as routine, especially for the population of young adults.…”

Fatores biopsicossociais na história de vida de mulheres profissionais do sexo

“…Sobre os aspectos de saúde, é possível dizer que a proximidade das Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) com o local de trabalho se constitui como uma das barreiras para as mulheres profissionais do sexo, da cidade de Fortaleza (CE), acessarem a atenção primária. Isto se deve ao medo dessas mulheres serem reconhecidas e de haver a quebra de sigilo por parte dos profissionais de saúde (Sousa, Frota, Castro, Kendall, & Kerr, 2017…”