ABSTRACT
Objectives:
to understand the perception of women living with HIV regarding their diagnosis, treatment, and mental health.
Methods:
this qualitative study was conducted with eight women between November and December 2022. Data were analyzed using Bardin’s Content Analysis technique, based on the participants’ narratives and aligned with Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring.
Results:
The content was organized into two categories: Feelings upon discovering the disease and its relationship to treatment; The impact of HIV/AIDS on the mental health of women and their relationship with healthcare professionals.
Final Considerations:
based on the participants’ narratives, it is concluded that women’s perceptions of their HIV diagnosis, treatment, and mental health are marked by moments of fragility, making them vulnerable during the process of discovering the infection, particularly as it impacts their individual and collective dynamics.