Difficulties of living with HIV/Aids: Obstacles to quality of life

Abstract

Objective

To identify and explore the dimensions of the difficulties faced by people living with HIV/Aids in the disease management.

Methods

A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study was developed in Specialized Care Services, with 26 patients. The recorded interviews were transcribed, and then processed and analyzed by means of descending hierarchical classification. Findings were based on the collective subject discourse.

Results

Five classes were obtained: “Intrafamilial prejudice and its impact on coping with the disease”; “Social prejudice: macro environment impacts”; “Difficulties in managing the risk of HIV/Aids transmission and its implications on partnerships”, “Maintenance of high rates of HIV/Aids treatment adherence: qualifying the service” and “Quality of life promotion for people living with HIV/Aids”.

Conclusion

The difficulties experienced go far beyond the disease, with central, intimate aspects, and are linked to prejudice, which hinders their personal, professional and affective development, expanding into abstract macro-concepts such as quality of life.

HIV; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Quality of life; Patient care; Adaptation, psychological