Adherence to treatment of young adults living with HIV/AIDS from the perspective of complex thinking

Abstract

Objetive: to understand the adherence to treatment of young adults with HIV/AIDS treated in a specialized care service from the perspective of complex thinking. Method: a qualitative study, with the data grounded theory approach. Twelve young adults aged from 15 to 24 years old living with HIV/AIDS, nine health professionals and four mothers participated in the study. Data was obtained from interviews conducted between April and September 2016 and analyzed using the constant comparative method. Results: the adherence to treatment of young adults with HIV/AIDS has been understood as a dynamic, multifactorial and constantly changing phenomenon. This process involves multiple aspects, including fear of becoming ill, physical and social death, discrimination and stigma. It was found that even in the face of these difficulties, young adults decide to continue their treatment in search of normalization of health, a long and common life like other young people who do not live with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: it was considered that in view of the complex and changing phenomenon, adherence to treatment of young adults with HIV/AIDS should be understood and managed by health professionals.