Comportamentos sexuais de risco em gestantes que convivem com o HIV AIDS uma revisão integrativa

Abstract

The data indicate that, today, about 5,000 women, between 15 and 24 years old, are infected by the HIV virus. According to the 2020 HIV/AIDS epidemiological bulletin, Brazil recorded 134,328 pregnant women living with the virus. HIV-infected pregnant women are at risk of transmitting HIV, not only to their babies, but also to their sexual partners. In addition, HIV-infected pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to potential reinfection, viremia and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can increase the risk of vertical and horizontal HIV transmission. Despite this risk, there is limited understanding of sexual risk factors for HIV reinfection and subsequent HIV transmission in HIV-infected pregnant women. This review aims to analyze and discuss the sexual behaviors of pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS. This study aims to analyze and discuss the scientific evidence regarding sexual behavior in pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS in the last 10 years. It was an integrative review of the last 10 years (2012 to 2022). Data collection was performed by searching for studies in the following databases: National Library of Medicine (via PubMed), Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs via BVS), Embase and Scielo, that had the descriptors “HIV”; “Sexual behavior” and “Pregnant Women”, and that answered the guiding question: “What are the scientific findings regarding sexual behavior in pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS in the last 10 years?”. After searching the databases and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 571 articles were found, of which 17 were classified as eligible and subsequently incorporated into the study, serving as a basis for analysis and discussion of the main sexual risk behaviors present in seropositive pregnant women. The problems faced by pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS are numerous, as well as the scenarios in which they are inserted. The main risky sexual practices reported in the literature were: inconsistent use of condoms, multiple sexual partners during pregnancy, sex with a partner with unknown or high-risk sexual behavior, sex with a partner of unknown serological status, non- consensual sex and sex under influence of alcohol or other substances. Considering the fact that pregnant women are potentially more vulnerable to acquiring HIV, but are not included in key population groups, it becomes necessary to deepen discussions about the sexual behaviors of these women in all scenarios and their singularities, so as to that HIV/AIDS control programs can concentrate interventions to prevent acquisition and reinfection by the virus in a more concise and effective way. Bearing in mind that the variables of a disease are influenced by the health determinants to which it is subjected, the means of intervention can only produce positive and relevant changes based on knowledge of beliefs and practices of that specific population. While pregnant women throughout Brazil are diagnosed with HIV/AIDS on a daily basis, their sexual practices continue to be neglected and misunderstood, threatening their quality of life, that of their partners and their future children.