PositHIVs Dreams Project: A Successful Experience

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS cases has proved to be an important challenge for Public Health. In this scenario, harm reduction and prevention stood out as fundamental strategies to face the high number of cases. However, over the years and the increase in the number of cases, it is observed that strategies need to be rethought so that they become more effective. Objectives: To provide health education activities such as conversation circles, workshops, home visits by the multiprofessional team, to improve the resocialization capacity of this stigmatized population and their quality of life, strengthening ties in the professional/user relationship. Methodology: The project had as a work routine, home visits, as well as meetings in alternative places. In the home visits, individual assessments were carried out, including the visual analogue pain scale (VAS) to measure the pain reported by the users, and follow-up visits were also carried out by the team involved. Two monthly meetings were held, strengthening the bonds of this public with the team involved. The project also included the inclusion of integrative therapies at home and in a collective meeting with the group “Sonhos PositHIVos”, being offered: music therapy, workshops, dynamics, auriculotherapy, work activities, among other activities. Results: The sample that integrates the present study consisted of 8 HIV-positive individuals, with a mean age of 49.25 years (SD=8.21 years) and ranging between 37 and 62 years. 4 (50%) male participants had completed high school education, 4 (50%), 1 (12.5%) had incomplete high school and 3 (37.5%) had elementary school. With regard to characteristics associated with HIV infection, in particular HIV risk behavior, most participants report unsafe sexual practices. Overall, 25% of participants rated their health as “neither good nor bad”; 12.5% ​​classified it as “good” and 62.5% as “very good”. The mean VAS measured by the 8 (eight) PLHIV was of intensity 7, being a value between severe and very severe pain. The result expressed after 2 (two) months of intervention was intensity 3, with pain considered mild to moderate. Conclusion: Over the course of the project, the participants were able to achieve success, making them able to understand their own trajectory. Therefore, it is important to mention that the “Sonhos PositHIVos” project brought better subjective levels of quality of life, showing the importance of implementing municipal public policies that strengthen primary health care.