Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2013;13(2):115-24.

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Having a classmate who is a HIV carrier: what the adolescent thinks about it

DOI: 10.31508/1676-3793201300013

Abstract

This is a descriptive qualitative study, aimed at understanding what adolescents think about a real or possible relationship between HIV seropositive classmates within a school environment. The participants of this study were comprised of eight adolescents of both sexs aged between 10 and 14 years old, who were in attendance at a youth center within a philanthropic institution in Sao Paulo city. The data was collected through a semi-structured interview, from which the analysis revealed the following thematic categories: HIV/aids as a communicable disease; Recognizing the relationship between HIV and aids; Not knowing much about HIV; HIV/aids causing sickness in a person and leading to death; Being difficult and hard to interact with a classmate who is a HIV/aids carrier; Recognizing the importance of maintaining the friendship regardless of HIV/aids. These results revealed important aspects of the real or imaginary adolescents’ relationship with their classmate and how much this relationship is permeated by the stigma that society imparts to individuals with HIV /aids.