Ways of coping with AIDS: opinion of mothers with HIV children

Richardson Augusto Rosendo da Silva1, Vera Maria da Rocha, Rejane Marie Barbosa Davim

  • 1Rio Grande do Norte Federal University, Brazil. rirosendo@yahoo.com.br

The research aims at identifying strategies of coping with AIDS used by mothers of HIV positive children to live better with their children's disease. The method used was a descriptive qualitative study. Thirty-three structured interviews were conducted with HIV positive women voluntaries and registered as users in the clinic of the public hospital of reference for the treatment of AIDS in Natal/RN. For data analysis, the method used was thematic content analysis. From the analysis, prevalent categories regarding forms of facing AIDS came up, they were: overprotection and fear; donation; hope; religious belief; underestimation of HIV; hiding the diagnosis; and resignation. This study shows that despite AIDS limitations and barriers, relatives develop strategies that make it possible to face every day problems and live better with it.

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