Sexuality of individuals with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): one study based on the crisis theory

Abstract

The purpose of the investigation was to identify and analize the sexual difficulties and their relation to the social and emotional difficulties experienced by subjects during a HIV crisis. Data were collected through semistructured interviews taped, transcribed, categorized and analyzed. Authors transcribed the conversations using thematic analysis and created five stories entitled: "Living with HIV". Data analysis was based on the interpretation of the content associated to the crisis theory. Data enabled authors to conclude that subjects undergoing a HIV crisis did not achieve a positive level of sexual, social or emotional adaptation. The speech of these subjects clearly showed the time of HIV crisis characterized by mechanisms of coping, usually negative. The results also indicate the need to rethink nurse's role, specially nursing intervention. Authors believe that the Model of Mental Health Nursing Procedures is adequate to help subjects in a HIV crisis to solve their sexual, emotional and social difficulties and to search for a positive level of adaptation, considering the difficulties that are inherent to the disease.