Characterization of the psychosocial support network of seropositive patients

Abstract

Introduction: Advances in health policies are still not enough to interrupt the dissemination of HIV/ AIDS, its episodes of instability, exacerbation and unfavorable outcomes, such as hospitalizations and deaths. Thus, it is essential to ensure, promote, and operationalize integrated health care among its sectors and actors, especially social support networks. Objective: To characterize the social support network of hospitalized seropositive patients. Methods: Six companionships belonging to the patient support network admitted to the Hospital de Base de São José do Rio Preto Infectology Ward from August to December 2018. We used the following instruments: Anamnesis Questionnaire, Clinical Interview Schedule - Revised (CIS-R) and Burden Interview Scale. Results: Our sample consisted of female companionship (50%) and male companionship (50%) with a mean age of 46 ± 17,16. The predominant bond was the fraternal one (33%). Of the six participants, four (67%) were classified as ‘’cases’’ (≥11); Of these, 50% were described as presenting mild clinically significant emotional disorder, 25% demonstrated mild subclinical emotional disorder, and 25% presented moderate psychiatric disorder. Regarding the diagnosis discovery, all patients expressed negative reactions. They also did not present perception of overload. Conclusion: The support network for HIV-positive patients consisted of a similar proportion of middle-aged men and women, with medium schooling and fraternal bond. There was a predominance of the absence of previous psychological and psychiatric follow-up predominated, as well as the verbalization of negative reactions in the face of the discovery diagnostic, the non-perception of overload, and the report of negative repercussions regarding the care delivered. Therefore, the implementation of psychological support and psychoeducation is necessary to improve the quality of life of this population.