Family health coping strategies for HIV/AIDS in the city of São Paulo

• Grant number: 10/07570-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2010
• End date: January 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Infectious Diseases Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Lúcia Yasuko Izumi Nichiata
• Grantee: Lúcia Yasuko Izumi Nichiata
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem (EE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In 2008, Brazil completed a quarter century of public policies for coping with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS prevention and health care activities introduced by the states and cities, by NGOs and other sectors of society have contributed to bringing domestic and international recognition to Brazilian coping strategies. These programs have reduced and stabilized the number of new cases, reduced the mortality of the disease, and have improved the quality of life of those that were infected. Challenges remain for the program, despite the good results achieved: reduction in vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis; increase in diagnostic coverage and treatment of STD and HIV infection; increased prevention coverage for women and highly vulnerable populations; reduced stigma and discrimination; and improved management and sustainability of programs. With the advent of the Unified Health System (SUS), the cities took on greater responsibility for health care in their areas and universalized access to services for their citizens, following the principle of integrated health care with the unification of health care and prevention activities for diseases in general, including those directed at coping with HIV/AIDS. Primary care plays a fundamental role in the compatibilization of collective activities that are designed to promote health and reduce vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and with activities that are individual and collective in scope, including health care activities for people who live with HIV/AIDS. Primary care and the cooperation needed between the various integrated SUS services do not function properly. Studies that address HIV services in primary care, between 1999 and 2008, show that primary care only provided counseling and a test to detect the virus and, in most cases, just for pre-natal cases. An analysis of these studies shows that there are flaws in the activities carried out in primary care directed at coping with HIV/AIDS, particularly in the integration of care. This raises the question: how are HIV/AIDS coping activities actually carried out in primary care, specifically, under the Family Health Care Strategy (ESF)? This prospective, exploratory-descriptive study, using a quantitative approach, aims to analyze the work processes for coping with HIV/AIDS under the Family Health Care Strategy (ESF) in the city of São Paulo. To do so, a Program Vulnerability framework will be used to assess public policies for coping with HIV/AIDS and the management of STD/AIDS programs. Technical visits, awareness meetings, gathering of secondary data and application of a questionnaire for managers of Primary Health Care Units will be carried out. (AU)