This qualitative research analyzes the construction process of subjectivity of nine sex professionals who have been interviewed, grasping the process of generating meanings in the context of HIV in their daily work. Amongst these nine women, four were HIV carriers. Seven nodes of signification were identified and analyzed (Family as an element that causes and maintains their activity as sex professionals; Varying identities in different frequented environments: separation of work from affectivity; Contradictions that were experienced concerning work; AIDS as a limiting factor for pleasure in their lives and as an impediment to continue to practice their activities; Factors associated with the increase of vulnerability to HIV; Health Care as a facilitator in the process of adhering to treatment and the Interview as an appeasing approach for interventions). While ambivalent and contradictory feelings predominated in the seronegatives who were interviewed, a polarization towards the displeasures of the activity was observed in the seropostives, making it unfeasible to continue such activity after becoming ill by AIDS.
Sex professional; HIV; AIDS; socio-historical psychology