| dc.description.abstract | The delayed diagnosis of HIV infection is one of the main obstacles to the control of the pandemic and has serious repercussions for the populations, highlighting the increase in the spread of infection, the morbidity and mortality of people living with HIV and the decreased quality of life of people affected. The objective of this study was to analyze the phenomenon of delayed diagnosis of HIV infection from the knowledge of the magnitude of the problem and its associated factors, and the understanding of life trajectories and representations of HIV-positive people. This is a mixed approach research using quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative axis, it consists of an epidemiological, analytical and cross-sectional study. In the qualitative axis, the Social Representations Theory was used, as a theoretical and methodological reference, from a critical approach. This research was carried out in the six Specialized Assistance Services of the State of Paraiba, belonging to the Brazilian Northeast. For the quantitative axis, the sample consisted of 369 HIV-positive individuals on antiretroviral treatment. For the qualitative approach, the sample was delimited by the theoretical saturation technique, obtaining the final sample of 18 participants. In the quantitative method, a questionnaire was used, applied with interview and, in the qualitative method, the open interview was used. In the quantitative axis, data were stored and analyzed in SPSS Software version 21.0. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate associated factors with the diagnosis, classified as very late, late, and timely, using Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and Kruskall-Wallis test. For multivariate analysis it were used the proportional odds logistic regression model and the decision tree method. In the qualitative approach, the method of Structural Analysis of Narrative and MAXQDA 12 Software were used to analyze the results. The main results are: 59,1% of the interviewees were diagnosed late or very late; in the final model, the following factors remained associated with the delayed diagnosis of HIV infection: age, marital status, schooling, reason why they sought the health service to perform the HIV test and the frequency of the rapid HIV test after unprotected sex with a fixed partner. In the qualitative approach, it was shown as original representations, AIDS as a transmissible and dangerous disease; like illness of the other; AIDS as a serious, incurable and deadly disease. These representations contributed to the delayed search for diagnosis, sometimes because of the detachment attitude from susceptible persons, or because they do not perceive or deny the risks to which they were exposed in the course of their life trajectories. In relation to the original representations of sexuality that contributed to the late diagnosis, it is pointed out: sexual intercourse is natural; it is in adolescence that the sexual life begins; trust in a fixed partnership; heterosexuality - man is polygamous and woman is monogamous; sexuality as taboo; and denial of risk for HIV infection. The representation of the search for pleasure in sexual intercourse, regardless of the risk of infections, permeated all others. Regarding the diagnostic itineraries of the interviewees, the paths covered were initially marked by the experience of illness and resulted in the delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in the three levels of care, in Primary Health Care, in the outpatient clinic and in public hospitals, where there were access barriers for timely diagnosis, and fragmented and non-judgmental care. An understanding of the reasons that lead people to discover their seropositivity late is imperative in the current epidemic outlook, so that new strategies and policies for timely infection diagnosis are planned and implemented. | |
