Experience of diagnosis disclosure for teenagers with HIV

Abstract

Phenomenological study with the objective of understanding the existential movement of teenagers in their experience of the disclosure of the human immunodeficiency virus diagnosis. The field research was undertaken at a university hospital in the South of Brazil, including phenomenological interviews with 12 teenagers. The analysis was based on Martin Heidegger’s reference framework. The results appointed that the teenagers showed they have rules and limits for having something that the others do not have and accept taking their medication. They keep busy with their treatment due to family members’ dominant solicitude. Over time, they learn to take care of themselves. By understanding the reasons for the treatment, based on the liberating request of their relatives and/or health professionals, they are concerned with taking care of themselves. Professional actions need to contemplate the biological and subjective dimension, with a view to going beyond the prescription, in order to commit the teenagers to their care.