Care for the person who lives with HIV/AIDS in primary health care

Abstract

Objective: To understand the process of caring for the person with HIV/AIDS in the Primary Health Care of a capital in southern Brazil. Method: Qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research, carried out in the Health Centers of this city, from March to August 2015. Sixteen nurses participated through semi-structured interviews, which were organized and codified with the help of the software QSR Nvivo®, version 10. Afterwards, the data were analyzed through comparative analysis. Results: Results were described in two categories: “The inter-subjective encounter given the vulnerability to HIV/AIDS”, and, “Accepting needs and formulating actions given the reality”. Potentialities and weaknesses were evidenced through these categories, such as: Reception, long-term care, active search, home visits, and, in return, lacking a formal flow of care for people living with HIV/AIDS, lack of HIV/AIDS line of care and medical/centered care. Conclusion: The need to implement HIV/AIDS management in primary care was verified, as well as to overcome the fragilities in this care with the aid of implementing a formal care flow, establishing managerial processes and permanent education for the professionals. Then, expanding and qualifying care in HIV/AIDS, with important contributions of the nurse in the perspective of integral care in the process of living with HIV/AIDS.