FAMILY CARE IN THE CHILD AND THE ADOLESCENT WORLD LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Objective: This study seeked to unveil the caregiver family member´s perception regarding the daily medication in the perspective of the child and adolescent with HIV/AIDS. Method: This qualitative research was conducted using the creative and sensitive method and was developed in the municipalities of Porto Alegre and Santa Maria, RS, with the participation of 12 caregiver family members between 2006 and 2010 and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the involved institutions. Results: From the thematic analysis, the following categories emerged: implications of the day-to-day medication for the families and family care while living with the disease. Upon the daily life of the child or adolescent with HIV/AIDS, the family perceives the difficulties of the antiretroviral treatment, the transition from childhood into adolescence, the multiple faces of living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: The family care occurs within a new family configuration to provide comfort and protection to the child or adolescent with HIV/AIDS.