Mulheres com Aids: desvendando histórias de risco

Abstract

This study approaches the social and cultural profile concerning risk for HIV infection in women, describing some epidemiological variables and disclosing reports of risk situations, the meaning of living with AIDS, and support received. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 25 women from the University Hospital of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, prior to the availability of multi-drug treatment. The majority reported limited schooling, were housewives or engaged in under-skilled occupations, and had family incomes lower than average for users of this public teaching hospital. The view of AIDS as "someone else's disease" was prevalent, and STDs were perceived as male infections, although several women reported episodes of STDs prior to HIV. They had received their diagnosis and initial medical care only after their partners' and/or children's illness or death. The study points to preventive strategies reinforcing these silent women's bargaining power, acting on men as potential active participants in reproductive health programs that incorporate STD/AIDS issues.

Medidas contraceptivas e de proteção da transmissão do HIV por mulheres com HIV/Aids

“…High HIV prevalence among women implies an increase in mother-to-child transmission and growing morbidity and mortality rates in children. 15 Similar findings were seen in the present study where 71.3% of women aged 19 to 39 years. As it is also a stage of life where pregnancy is most likely, these women should get thorough counseling concerning adequate methods for contraception and prevention of HIV transmission.…”

“…15 At the same time, statistics show a growing number of cases in women. High HIV prevalence among women implies an increase in mother-to-child transmission and growing morbidity and mortality rates in children.…”

“…10,15 Several studies indicate that male condoms are not used as a result of the partner's refusal for feeling uncomfortable or believing it would hamper their sexual pleasure and masculinity. Furthermore, they evidence women's failure to negotiate with their partner.…”

“…Researchers have found that prevention was not a concern for most women who got infected 4,13,15 An explanation for this behavior could rely on the fact that these women are mostly poor, ill-informed and have no negotiation power, which in a way comes close to the widespread idea of AIDS "feminization, internalization, and depauperation" among women.…”

Experiência da maternidade no contexto do HIV/Aids aos três meses de vida do bebê

“…Essa situação pode trazer importante impacto para a experiência da maternidade, especialmente quando essa se soma à condição de vulnerabilidade social e psicológica em que muitas mães portadoras do HIV/Aids encontram-se (Bennetts & cols., 1999;Ethier & cols., 2002;Lindau & cols., 2006;Santos & cols., 2002;Vermelho, Barbosa, & Nogueira, 1999). Entretanto, nessa situação, comumente as atenções de saúde concentram-se na prevenção da transmissão vertical.…”