Social representations of individuals over 50 years old living with HIV

Abstract

Objective: to analyze social representations of individuals over 50 years old living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Methods: qualitative study, interviewing 13 individuals living with HIV, attending by a care assistance facility specialized in infectious diseases. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, which later were analyzed by dialectical hermeneutics, by applying the Social Representations Theory. Results: after significant reports a few empirical categories emerged: the moment when the diagnosis was disclosed and their feelings afterwards, social representation on aging with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and redefining life. Final considerations: the study proved the reality of discrimination against aging people infected with HIV in social interactions as a whole, which requires changes in society’s perceptions of this subject, the HIV-positive people themselves and the health system, making possible the emancipation of the individual living with HIV while aging and having quality of life.