Structure of social networks of people living with HIV and AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the structure of the social network of people living with HIV and AIDS. METHOD: Exploratory and descriptive research with a qualitative approach, developed through interviews with twenty-two people living with HIV and AIDS, from November to December 2019. For analysis, the theoretical-methodological framework of social network was used. RESULTS: The primary networks were of medium size and low density, formed by family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. The secondary networks were characterized by public, private, third sector institutions, workplaces, and by the informal network, which provided support according to the need for care. CONCLUSION: The family was considered the center of the primary social network structure; however, weaknesses in these social relationships were evidenced. The family relational context of the person with HIV and AIDS was influenced by the secrecy of the diagnosis due to the fear of prejudice and discrimination for being HIV-positive. There was a predilection for the services of the secondary social network that took on the role of specific care for the disease.

Structure of social networks of people living with HIV and AIDS / Estructura de las redes sociales de personas viviendo con VIH y SIDA / Estrutura das redes sociais de pessoas vivendo com HIV e AIDS

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the structure of the social network of people living with HIV and AIDS. Method: Exploratory and descriptive research with a qualitative approach, developed through interviews with twenty-two people living with HIV and AIDS, from November to December 2019. For analysis, the theoretical-methodological framework of social network was used. Results: The primary networks were of medium size and low density, formed by family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. The secondary networks were characterized by public, private, third sector institutions, workplaces, and by the informal network, which provided support according to the need for care. Conclusion: The family was considered the center of the primary social network structure; however, weaknesses in these social relationships were evidenced. The family relational context of the person with HIV and AIDS was influenced by the secrecy of the diagnosis due to the fear of prejudice and discrimination for being HIV-positive. There was a predilection for the services of the secondary social network that took on the role of specific care for the disease.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la estructura de la red social de personas viviendo con VIH y SIDA. Método: Investigación exploratoria y descriptiva de abordaje cualitativo, desarrollada por medio de entrevista con veintidós personas viviendo con VIH y SIDA, de noviembre a diciembre de 2019. Para tal análisis, se utilizó el referencial teórico-metodológico de la red social. Resultados: Las redes primarias se configuraron de tamaño medio y con baja densidad, formadas por familiares, parientes, amigos, vecinos y colegas. Las redes secundarias se caracterizaron por instituciones públicas, privadas, del tercer sector, locales de trabajo y por la red informal, que aportaron soporte de acuerdo con la necesidad de cuidado. Conclusión: La familia fue considerada el eje de la estructura de la red social primaria, sin embargo fueron evidenciadas debilidades en esas relaciones sociales. El contexto relacional familiar de la persona con VIH y SIDA tuvo influencia del sigilo del diagnóstico decurrente del miedo de sufrir perjuicio y discriminación por su condición seropositiva. Hubo preferencia por los servicios de la red social secundaria que asumieron la función de cuidado específico para la enfermedad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a estrutura da rede social de pessoas vivendo com HIV e Aids. Método: Pesquisa exploratória e descritiva de abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvida por meio de entrevista com vinte e duas pessoas vivendo com HIV e Aids, de novembro a dezembro de 2019. Para análise, utilizou-se o referencial teórico-metodológico de rede social. Resultados: as redes primárias configuraram-se de tamanho médio e com baixa densidade, formadas por familiares, parentes, amigos, vizinhos e colegas. As redes secundárias foram caracterizadas por instituições públicas, privadas, de terceiro setor, locais de trabalho e pela rede informal, que forneceram suporte conforme a necessidade de cuidado. Conclusão: A família foi considerada o nó central da estrutura da rede social primária; no entanto, foram evidenciadas fragilidades nessas relações sociais. O contexto relacional familiar da pessoa com HIV e Aids sofreu influência do sigilo do diagnóstico decorrente do medo de sofrer preconceito e discriminação por ser soropositiva. Houve predileção pelos serviços da rede social secundária que assumiram a função de cuidado específico para a doença.

[Tuberculosis diagnosis in the aged: barriers to accessing health services]. / Diagnóstico da tuberculose em pessoas idosas: barreiras de acesso relacionadas aos serviços de saúde.

This study was performed with the objective to analyze the barriers to diagnosing tuberculosis in the aged and access to health services in the city of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. This qualitative study included the participation of seven aged women with tuberculosis. Interviews were used for data collection. The empirical material was organized using Atlas.ti 6.0, and analyzed according to the techniques of discourse analysis. The identified barriers related to the access to health services to confirm the diagnosis were: the operating hours of family health units; transferred responsibilities; home visits without controlling communicants; delay of the health service in suspecting the disease and the patient's repeated visits to the health center before being informed about the diagnosis. Despite the identification of common barriers that tuberculosis patients of all ages must deal with, because of the vulnerability of the elderly, health services should implement control actions so as to prevent the disease becoming a common condition in this population.