Hope in HIV-positive women

Authors

  • Marli Teresinha Gimeniz Galvão Universidade Federal do Ceará; Departamento de Enfermagem; Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem
  • Danuta Yelena Goiana Bonfim CNPq; Núcleo de Estudos em HIV/Aids e Doenças Associadas
  • Elucir Gir Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto
  • Carolina Maria de Lima Carvalho Universidade Federal do Ceará; Programa de Pós-Graduação
  • Paulo Cesar de Almeida Universidade Estadual do Ceará
  • Alessandra Cristina Sartore Balsanelli Universidade de São Paulo; Escola de Enfermagem; Programa de Enfermagem na Saúde do Adulto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342012000100005

Keywords:

HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Life expectancy, Public health nursing

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the hope in the lives of HIV-positive women, using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS). Participants were 111 HIV-positive women who attended a referral outpatient clinic in Fortaleza-CE. From January to May 2009, interviews were held to collect biopsychosocial variables, and the HHS was applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS-8.0 and revealed an average hope index of 34.86, indicating that these women have little hope in life in view of their diagnosis of HIV. The scale item with the highest score was faith. This probably derives from the fact that Aids is incurable, transmissible and generates negative stigma, in addition to its relation with the idea of imminent death. In conclusion, measuring hope among HIV patients through the use of an instrument permits intervention assessment and planning, promoting assistance and motivation to live better and maintain a hopeful attitude.

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Published

2012-02-01

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Original Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Galvão, M. T. G., Bonfim, D. Y. G., Gir, E., Carvalho, C. M. de L., Almeida, P. C. de, & Balsanelli, A. C. S. (2012). Hope in HIV-positive women. Revista Da Escola De Enfermagem Da USP, 46(1), 38-44. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-62342012000100005