BETWEEN GAZE AND SILENCE: THE PERCEPTION OF STIGMA IN THE TRAJECTORY OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

• Grant number: 24/13018-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Daisy Maria Machado
• Grantee: Bárbara Mansur Sarmet Moreira Smiderle
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The project aims to investigate the impact of stigma on the lives of young people living with HIV/AIDS, aged between 15 and 29 years, who are attended at university services of the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Of the 60 participants, 30 are followed by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Service of UNIFESP, and the other 30 by an equivalent center at UFMG. The main objective is to understand how these young people perceive the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and how such stigma interferes with aspects of their daily lives, including treatment adherence and the decision to disclose their diagnosis to others. The research will be initially structured with a quantitative phase, during which a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Stigma Assessment Inventory for Families (SAFI) will be applied to quantify the frequency and types of stigmatizing experiences they have encountered. Subsequently, a qualitative phase will be conducted, involving semi-structured interviews to delve deeper into the young people's perceptions of stigma and their experiences with family, friends, healthcare professionals, among others. This second phase, however, will be limited to participants from UNIFESP. It is expected that the results will contribute to a broader understanding of the challenges faced by young people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as inform health actions aimed at reducing stigma, with more welcoming and inclusive care approaches focused on strengthening social and clinical support for this vulnerable population.