A vivência da sexualidade em pessoas idosas com HIV: antes e após o diagnóstico

Abstract

The object of this research is to understand the experience of sexuality of elderly people diagnosed with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus before and after the diagnosis. The objective is to: understand the experience of sexuality of elderly people diagnosed with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus before and after the diagnosis. This is a qualitative and descriptive research, carried out in a Teaching Hospital located in a capital in the Northeast region of Brazil. Thirteen elderly people participated in the study, nine males and four females, diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, being monitored at the Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Unit of the Teaching Hospital. Data were collected from October 30th to November 21st, 2023, through a semi-structured interview. As a technique for the investigation, Content Analysis was used, in the thematic analysis modality, according to Laurence Bardin. The results gave rise to three categories, namely: 1) Beginning of the diagnosis process, which indicated that feelings such as sadness, anguish, worry, discontent and fear are common when diagnosed with HIV. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination were also situations observed; 2) Sexuality before diagnosis, which revealed that it was based on unprotected relationships, trust in sexual partnerships, history of multiple partners and infidelity; 3) Sexuality coexisting with infection, in which sexual practice still appears to be part of the reality of some elderly people, however it imposes the need for changes towards safe sex, such as adhering to condoms and taking responsibility for caring for oneself and others. The study allowed us to conclude that the experience of sexuality of elderly people diagnosed with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus presents itself in a unique and individual way, as it is directly influenced by the individuals' life trajectory. Furthermore, society's erroneous conception of elderly people as beings who do not have an active sexual life has led to a silent, repressed and neglected sexuality, which sustains the epidemic of infection that is spreading among the elderly.