[Hope in HIV-positive women]. / Esperança em mulheres portadoras da infecção pelo HIV.

The objective of this study was to assess the hope in the lives of HIV-positive women, using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS). Participants were 111 HIV-positive women who attended a referral outpatient clinic in Fortaleza-CE. From January to May 2009, interviews were held to collect biopsychosocial variables, and the HHS was applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS-8.0 and revealed an average hope index of 34.86, indicating that these women have little hope in life in view of their diagnosis of HIV. The scale item with the highest score was faith. This probably derives from the fact that Aids is incurable, transmissible and generates negative stigma, in addition to its relation with the idea of imminent death. In conclusion, measuring hope among HIV patients through the use of an instrument permits intervention assessment and planning, promoting assistance and motivation to live better and maintain a hopeful attitude.

Esperança em mulheres portadoras da infecção pelo HIV / Hope in HIV-positive women / Esperanza en mujeres portadoras de infección por HIV

Objetivou-se avaliar a esperança na vida de mulheres infectadas pelo HIV mediante uso da Escala de Esperança de Herth (EEH). Participaram 111 mulheres portadoras de HIV atendidas em ambulatório de referência em Fortaleza-CE. De janeiro a maio de 2009, foram conduzidas entrevistas que captaram variáveis biopsicossociais e aplicou-se a EEH. Os dados analisados pelo programa SPSS-8.0 revelaram índice médio de esperança de 34,86, apontando que as mulheres possuem moderada esperança na vida diante da vigência do HIV, cujo item da escala com maior pontuação relacionou-se à fé (3,57). Isto provavelmente decorre do fato de a AIDS não ter cura, ser transmissível e produzir estigma, estando ainda relacionada à ideia de morte iminente. Conclui-se que a medida da esperança entre portadores de HIV, mediante o uso de um instrumento, possibilita avaliar e planejar intervenções, promovendo ajuda e motivação para viverem melhor e manterem a esperança na vida.

The objective of this study was to assess the hope in the lives of HIV-positive women, using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS). Participants were 111 HIV-positive women who attended a referral outpatient clinic in Fortaleza-CE. From January to May 2009, interviews were held to collect biopsychosocial variables, and the HHS was applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS-8.0 and revealed an average hope index of 34.86, indicating that these women have little hope in life in view of their diagnosis of HIV. The scale item with the highest score was faith. This probably derives from the fact that Aids is incurable, transmissible and generates negative stigma, in addition to its relation with the idea of imminent death. In conclusion, measuring hope among HIV patients through the use of an instrument permits intervention assessment and planning, promoting assistance and motivation to live better and maintain a hopeful attitude.

Se objetivó evaluar la esperanza en la vida de mujeres infectadas por HIV mediante uso de Escala de Esperanza de Herth (EEH). Participaron 11 mujeres portadoras de HIV atendidas en ambulatorio referencial en Fortaleza-CE. De enero a mayo de 2009, se condujeron entrevistas que captaron variables bio-psicosociales y se aplicó EEH. Los datos, analizados con el programa SPSS-8.0 apuntaron índice medio de esperanza de 34,86, determinando que las mujeres poseen moderada esperanza en la vida ante la presencia del HIV, cuyo ítem de escala con mayor puntuación se relacionó con la fe (3,57). Probablemente, eso deriva de que el SIDA sea incurable, transmisible y productor de estigma, estando aún relacionado a la idea de muerte inminente. Según se concluyó, la medida de esperanza entre portadores de HIV mediante uso de un instrumento posibilitó evaluar y planear intervenciones, promoviendo ayuda y motivación para vivir mejor y mantener esperanza en la vida.