Fatores de risco para a maternidade entre adolescentes vivendo com HIV

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify risk factors for the experience of pregnancy and motherhood among young mothers living with HIV. A qualitative multiple case study was conducted with three young primiparous mothers HIV+ (17 to 19 years), whose babies were between 4 and 6 months old. Participants were recruited from specialized care services in Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil. Data were collected using social support and adherence to treatment questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. Seropositivity during pregnancy, low adherence to antiretroviral treatment and non-adherence to this treatment by their partners, as well as the difficulties related to the health services were identified as risk factors for a less positive experience of pregnancy and motherhood. These findings indicate the need of an active search of pregnant or adolescent mothers living with HIV, as well as of including the partner in their health care. This will be important to minimize the impact of the risk factors and to facilitate the transition to motherhood.