The last few years have seen an increase in the infection rate not only of HIV but also TB. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is increasing rapidly mainly in developing countries with 71 % of infections in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. South Africa, which forms part of the Sub- Saharan region, has the highest infection rate in the world with 3.2 to 3.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS. People with HIV are especially vulnerable to TB, and HIV pandemic is fuelling an explosive growth in TB cases. The increase in the infection rate of TB and HIV exert increased pressure on health service delivery thus reflecting the serious problem in the country with regard to health service delivery to people co-infected with TB and HlV/AlDS. Health service delivery is also hindered by negative attitudes of health workers that have been reported towards people living with HIV/AIDS. They entertain a biased view of their own risk, considering risk only from occupational exposure and denying the possibility of infection in their private life. These attitudes of health workers decreases the quality of care and support delivered to patient co-infected with TB and HIV. This result in people not disclosing their illness even in cases were treatment is available like TB for the fear of stigmatisation. Hence the problem of stigmatisation escalates into a dilemma for the patient co-infected with TB and HIV. Therefore these patients tend to shy away from health services and isolate themselves due to fear of being stigmatised twice. The need to address TB and HIV together in the light of this dimension is urgent so as to improve the utilization of the health services by people co-infected with Ti3 and HIV. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of patients co-infected with TB and HIV regarding stigmatisation by the health workers, to explore and describe the attitudes of health workers towards patients co-infected with TB and HIV, and to formulate guidelines for health workers that will facilitate the health service utilization by patients co-infected with TB and HIV in the Potchefstroom district. The research was conducted in the Potchefstroom district in the North West province of South Africa. A qualitative research design was used to explore and describe the experiences of patients co-infected with TB and HIV regarding stigmatisation by the health workers, and to explore and describe the attitudes of health workers toward co-infected patients. A purposive voluntary sampling method was used to select participants who met the set criteria. Two populations were used, that is the patients co-infected with TB and HIV, and the health workers who were involved in their care. In depth unstructured interviews were conducted with the patient population and semi structured interviews with the health worker population using an interview schedule that was formulated from the background literature. Data was captured on an audiotape, and transcribed verbatim. Field notes were taken immediately after each interview. The researcher and a co-coder did data analysis after data saturation was reached and a consensus was reached on the categories that emerged. From the findings of this research it appeared that there were general perceptions by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV that indicated stigmatisation by the health workers. This perceived stigmatisation was reported as being perpetrated by all categories of health workers. Negative behaviours such as the health workers not having time for the patients and being impatient were reported. Lack of sufficient knowledge was related to these behaviours especially amongst lower categories or non-professional health workers. In spite of the above, the researcher also observed that there was a limited number of health workers who were still being perceived as committed and caring by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV. The researcher concluded that the relationship between the health workers and the patients co-infected with TB and HIV was characterised by conflict. The health workers seemed to perceive the patients co-infected with TB and HIV as stubborn, harsh, abuse alcohol, manipulative and not taking responsibility of their illness. These perceptions lead the health workers to have a negative attitude towards these patients and occasionally came across as unsympathetic towards them. On the other hand the researcher observed that there were other health workers who did not present with negative behaviours towards these patients and tried to understand the reasons for their sometimes-unacceptable behaviours. Recommendations are made for the field of nursing education, community health nursing practice and nursing research with the formulation of guidelines for health workers so as to facilitate the utilization of the health services by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV. The guidelines are discussed under three main categories, namely guidelines for the health workers to facilitate the utilization of the health services by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV, guidelines to improve the utilization of the health services more efficiently and adequately by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV, and guidelines to improve the attitudes of the health workers towards the patients co-infected with TB and HIV with the intention of improving the utilization of the health services by these patients. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

<p>Eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected patients is defined either by a cluster of differentiation antigen 4 (CD4) count of less than 200cells/mm3 or clinical diagnosis of WHO stage III and IV. Therefore, the decision to start ART becomes difficult when CD4 cell count is not available. With limited laboratory infrastructure, the decision to start ART is usually made based on clinical symptoms leading to late commencement of ART. This calls for alternative criteria to see if nail discoloration (ND) correlates with low CD4 count among untreated HIV infected patients. This will serve as a complementary screening tool for identifying asymptomatic ARV naive HIV patients with a CD4 cell count of less than 200cells/mm3 which signifies&nbsp / severe immunosuppression. Study Design and Setting: This was a quantitative cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study involving adult ART na&iuml / ve HIV infected patients in WHO stage I and II. Systematic sampling was used to select the participants from all adult ART na&iuml / ve HIV infected patients attending APIN clinic, located at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, Nigeria. Data Collection: Face-to-face interviews, physical examination and relevant laboratory investigations with selected participants were conducted using a questionnaire guide. Questions on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, general physical examinations including finger nail examination and photographing with subsequent laboratory investigations including CD4 count and western blot were employed. Data Analysis: Variables were categorized and data analyzed using descriptive statistics including the frequency, percentage frequency / mean and standard deviation of continuous variables. Association between CD4 count of &le / 200cells/mm3 and ND was tested using the chisquare test with an alpha level of 0.05. Prevalence of ND, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive values and accuracy of the screening test of ND was calculated. Results: 394 patients had their fingernails photographed and assessed. It was shown that distal banded and grey nails were the common types of ND seen with a prevalence of 38%. There was an association between CD4 count &le / 200cells/mm3 and ND (p&lt / 0.0001). CD4 count &le / 200cells/mm3 was a risk factor for developing ND (RR=2.3[1.8-3.6]). The association has a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 55%, positive predictive value of 50%, and negative predictive value of 80% and accuracy of test 63%. Conclusion: With a significant association (p&lt / 0.0001) and a sensitivity of 78%, ND can be a useful clinical indicator of immune dysfunction mediated by HIV among patients in WHO stage I or II. ND can either be a clinical sign or a symptom in HIV patients with a CD4 of &le / 200cells/mm3 as seen in the study as the specificity and sensitivity of ND compared favourably with other WHO stage III diagnosis. Recommendations: Nail discoloration should complement CD4 count as an additional staging sign to help identify patients likely to benefit from ART especially in resource-limited settings. Finally, all patients with grey or distal banded should be on co-trimoxaxole prophylaxis in line with WHO /national guideline on the use of co-trimoxaxole for all HIV positive patients with a CD4 cell count of &le / 350cells/mm3.</p>

<p>The main purpose of the study was to assess and explore the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among secondary learners in rural Bergville district of KwaZulu-Natal. A stratified random sample of 100&nbsp / learners was selected from two secondary schools in the area. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interviews were scheduled with the teachers from the selected schools. The&nbsp / questionnaire was administered to a sample of 54 learners from school A and 46 from school B. The mean age was 16, with age range from 13-20. The participants were enrolled for grade&nbsp / 8-12 in both schools. Both qualitative and quantitative data on learners‟ knowledge and perception about HIV/AIDS, condom use and sexual issues including their attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS were collected in the questionnaire. Chi-square test was used for statistics purpose to test if the HIV knowledge of learners were associated with gender, culture and&nbsp / religion. Qualitative interviews with 9 teachers from both schools were conducted. The main purpose of the interviews was to investigate the management of HIV/AIDS in public schools in rural&nbsp / areas. Furthermore, to assess the learner‟s attitude towards HIV/AIDS education provided in schools. The results showed that the learners in Bergville district were more knowledgeable of&nbsp / HIV/AIDS through HIV/AIDS education in schools that had limited effect on gender, culture and religion. Quantitative findings presented, indicated no significant differences between those&nbsp / learners attending church and cultural activities that offer&nbsp / HIV/AIDS awareness programmes and those who do not with regard to the knowledge of HIV/AIDS. However, culture stood out to be associated with one item on the knowledge of whether school children can get HIV/AIDS (p-value = 0.04). On average, the level of knowledge of HIV/AIDS between female and male learners was similar. The major findings on both quantitative and qualitative findings confirmed that learners‟ knowledge levels were very high for modes of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Despite this knowledge, poor&nbsp / behavioural change among learners is a major setback thus increasing high risk of contracting HIV. Adequate knowledge about issues of cure, HIV testing and treatment was of concern in the findings in this study. Furthermore, data from qualitative interviews with the teachers highlighted the lack of multisectoral response to HIV/AIDS in Bergville rural communities which thus&nbsp / compromise the effectiveness in management of HIV/AIDS in schools. In summary, the study revealed some of the challenges faced by teachers and learners in regard to HIV/AIDS education.</p>

The prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women is still on the rise despite existing preventive programmes aimed at reducing HIV-transmission. Voluntary counselling and testing during pregnancy is the key entry point in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (Department of Health, 2000:16; Birdsall et al. 2004:3). Women are often diagnosed as being HIV-positive for the first time when they attend antenatal clinics and consent to HIV testing (UNAIDS, 1997). The objective of this study was to determine the pregnant women's experiences of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and to explore and describe the impeding and facilitating factors that played a role in their choice whether or not to consent to HIV testing after having received pre-test counselling. By understanding the impeding and facilitating factors that play a role in the pregnant woman's choice to undergo HIV testing, recommendations could be made to possibly improve the uptake of HIV testing among pregnant women. The population studied in this research consisted of pregnant women making use of antenatal clinics in the Potchefstroom sub-district. Purposive sampling was used to select participants with the assistance of mediators who were working in the local clinics and the hospital. The sample size was determined by data saturation, which was reached after 10 interviews. A qualitative design was used and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out simultaneously with data collection. In consensus discussions, the researcher and the co-coder reached consensus on the main and sub-themes. The main themes are the facilitating and impeding factors that play a role in the pregnant women's choice to undergo HIV testing. Based on findings, it was concluded that facilitating and impeding factors that play a role in the pregnant woman's choice to HIV testing do indeed exist. Impeding factors identified were: fear of a positive status; fear of stigmatization and discrimination; fear of lack of support; lack of opportunity to consider their choice to undergo HIV testing; lack of trust that confidentiality will indeed be honoured; fear of knowing possible positive HIV-status that can lead to feelings of depression and mental anguish; differences between counsellors' and pregnant women's characteristics. Facilitating factors consist of the desire to be aware of own HIV status; desire to protect the baby; sufficient information and the importance of trust and confidentiality. Recommendations were subsequently made to make HIV counselling and testing services to pregnant women more user-friendly in order to facilitate the pregnant woman in her choice concerning HIV-testing. Heeding these recommendations will possibly lead to more pregnant women's HIV status being known by the time they go into labour. Recommendations were made that pregnant women be counselled for HIV testing during their first antenatal visit and the HIV-testing being offered to them during the second visit. Research findings reveal that most pregnant women need time to consider their choice to undergo HIV testing and to prepare themselves for the test. Most pregnant women felt that they would possibly consent to HIV testing during their second antenatal visit. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The last few years have seen an increase in the infection rate not only of HIV but also TB. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is increasing rapidly mainly in developing countries with 71 % of infections in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. South Africa, which forms part of the Sub- Saharan region, has the highest infection rate in the world with 3.2 to 3.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS. People with HIV are especially vulnerable to TB, and HIV pandemic is fuelling an explosive growth in TB cases. The increase in the infection rate of TB and HIV exert increased pressure on health service delivery thus reflecting the serious problem in the country with regard to health service delivery to people co-infected with TB and HlV/AlDS. Health service delivery is also hindered by negative attitudes of health workers that have been reported towards people living with HIV/AIDS. They entertain a biased view of their own risk, considering risk only from occupational exposure and denying the possibility of infection in their private life. These attitudes of health workers decreases the quality of care and support delivered to patient co-infected with TB and HIV. This result in people not disclosing their illness even in cases were treatment is available like TB for the fear of stigmatisation. Hence the problem of stigmatisation escalates into a dilemma for the patient co-infected with TB and HIV. Therefore these patients tend to shy away from health services and isolate themselves due to fear of being stigmatised twice. The need to address TB and HIV together in the light of this dimension is urgent so as to improve the utilization of the health services by people co-infected with Ti3 and HIV. The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of patients co-infected with TB and HIV regarding stigmatisation by the health workers, to explore and describe the attitudes of health workers towards patients co-infected with TB and HIV, and to formulate guidelines for health workers that will facilitate the health service utilization by patients co-infected with TB and HIV in the Potchefstroom district. The research was conducted in the Potchefstroom district in the North West province of South Africa. A qualitative research design was used to explore and describe the experiences of patients co-infected with TB and HIV regarding stigmatisation by the health workers, and to explore and describe the attitudes of health workers toward co-infected patients. A purposive voluntary sampling method was used to select participants who met the set criteria. Two populations were used, that is the patients co-infected with TB and HIV, and the health workers who were involved in their care. In depth unstructured interviews were conducted with the patient population and semi structured interviews with the health worker population using an interview schedule that was formulated from the background literature. Data was captured on an audiotape, and transcribed verbatim. Field notes were taken immediately after each interview. The researcher and a co-coder did data analysis after data saturation was reached and a consensus was reached on the categories that emerged. From the findings of this research it appeared that there were general perceptions by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV that indicated stigmatisation by the health workers. This perceived stigmatisation was reported as being perpetrated by all categories of health workers. Negative behaviours such as the health workers not having time for the patients and being impatient were reported. Lack of sufficient knowledge was related to these behaviours especially amongst lower categories or non-professional health workers. In spite of the above, the researcher also observed that there was a limited number of health workers who were still being perceived as committed and caring by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV. The researcher concluded that the relationship between the health workers and the patients co-infected with TB and HIV was characterised by conflict. The health workers seemed to perceive the patients co-infected with TB and HIV as stubborn, harsh, abuse alcohol, manipulative and not taking responsibility of their illness. These perceptions lead the health workers to have a negative attitude towards these patients and occasionally came across as unsympathetic towards them. On the other hand the researcher observed that there were other health workers who did not present with negative behaviours towards these patients and tried to understand the reasons for their sometimes-unacceptable behaviours. Recommendations are made for the field of nursing education, community health nursing practice and nursing research with the formulation of guidelines for health workers so as to facilitate the utilization of the health services by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV. The guidelines are discussed under three main categories, namely guidelines for the health workers to facilitate the utilization of the health services by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV, guidelines to improve the utilization of the health services more efficiently and adequately by the patients co-infected with TB and HIV, and guidelines to improve the attitudes of the health workers towards the patients co-infected with TB and HIV with the intention of improving the utilization of the health services by these patients. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

In this dissertation, the argument is the understanding of the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids and how these beliefs that protect them from being infected, will lead to the formulation of suggestions for a belief-sensitive approach, which can be incorporated by health care professionals in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. Several authors stress the fact that if any HIV and Aids programme is to be implemented successfully, the health care profession should strive to know more about the beliefs of the community, in this case Black farm workers, so that there can be sound human relations and effective programmes. Based on the problem statement for this study the following research questions were asked: 1. What are the beliefs of black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids? 2. How do these beliefs protect them from being infected? 3. Based on the answers to the first two questions, what suggestions can be formulated regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers? The objectives were in line with these questions, namely to explore and describe the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids; to explore and describe how these beliefs protect them from being infected; and to formulate recommendations, specifically suggestions regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. The study followed a qualitative, explorative and descriptive approach. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approach was used to collect data. 'Lekgotla' was used as a strategy to collect data. The results indicated that Black farm workers do have beliefs about HIV and Aids. Most of the beliefs they uphold protect them from being infected, however there are some marginal beliefs that can put them at risk of being infected. Suggestions, which health care professionals can incorporate in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers, were formulated based on the results, a literature control and ensuing conclusions. Beliefs of Black farm workers that protect them from being infected could be included in the suggestions for prevention strategies. Health care professionals involved in prevention strategies should actively listen to Black farm workers’ beliefs in order for these strategies to be successful. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

In this dissertation, the argument is the understanding of the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids and how these beliefs that protect them from being infected, will lead to the formulation of suggestions for a belief-sensitive approach, which can be incorporated by health care professionals in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. Several authors stress the fact that if any HIV and Aids programme is to be implemented successfully, the health care profession should strive to know more about the beliefs of the community, in this case Black farm workers, so that there can be sound human relations and effective programmes. Based on the problem statement for this study the following research questions were asked: 1. What are the beliefs of black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids? 2. How do these beliefs protect them from being infected? 3. Based on the answers to the first two questions, what suggestions can be formulated regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers? The objectives were in line with these questions, namely to explore and describe the beliefs of Black farm workers regarding HIV and Aids; to explore and describe how these beliefs protect them from being infected; and to formulate recommendations, specifically suggestions regarding a belief-sensitive approach in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers. The study followed a qualitative, explorative and descriptive approach. A participatory rural appraisal (PRA) approach was used to collect data. 'Lekgotla' was used as a strategy to collect data. The results indicated that Black farm workers do have beliefs about HIV and Aids. Most of the beliefs they uphold protect them from being infected, however there are some marginal beliefs that can put them at risk of being infected. Suggestions, which health care professionals can incorporate in HIV and Aids-prevention programmes for Black farm workers, were formulated based on the results, a literature control and ensuing conclusions. Beliefs of Black farm workers that protect them from being infected could be included in the suggestions for prevention strategies. Health care professionals involved in prevention strategies should actively listen to Black farm workers’ beliefs in order for these strategies to be successful. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

<p>The devastation caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is having a major impact on both the social and economic environment in South Africa. HIV/AIDS hits at the core of the businesses structure - the bottom line. In the absence of a cure for the disease or an effective vaccine, the challenge for all the stakeholders is how to successfully contain and limit the impact of the disease. Intervention programmes such as awareness, knowledge sharing and sero-prevailance testing have the potential to limit HIV/AIDS infections and reduce high-risk behaviours. Whilst education and awareness programmes have been relatively successful in highlighting the dangers of HIV infection, perception, attitudes and behaviours of employees towards HIV/AIDS have dampened voluntary HIV screening initiatives. Many South African organisations have commendable HIV/AIDS education and awareness programmes, however, a concerning fact is that employees are reluctant to avail themselves to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. Stigmatising attitudes toward persons living with HIV/AIDS may reduce people&rsquo / s willingness to have themselves tested for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This may increase the risk of transmission. It may also lead to increased absenteeism in the workplace, and workdays lost resulting from excessive sick.<br /> <br /> The aim of the study was to establish what the perceptions and attitudes are of employees at different levels of the organisation with regard to HIV/AIDS testing. A further aim was to identify possible reasons for the poor employee response to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. It was thus important for this research to gauge employee knowledge, attitude and behaviour toward HIV/AIDS in order for organisations to develop strategies for effective HIV/AIDS counselling and testing programmes.<br /> <br /> The data for this study was collected by means of a self report questionnaire. The questionnaire was administered to a sample of employees across all levels of the organisation using the convenient sample approach to identify the respondents. Two hundred and forty six (246) out of a total of 600 questionnaires distributed were returned, making the response rate a credible 41%.<br /> The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyse the data obtained from the questionnaire. Both inferential and descriptive statistical approaches were used to analyse the data. The Analyses Of Variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether differences exist in the perceptions and attitudes of employees at different levels and groupings in the organisation. Additionally post hoc tests (i.e. the Scheffe test) were applied to all comparisons of means after the analysis of variance.<br /> <br /> The findings of this research are important for the role of HIV/AIDS testing and awareness/preventions strategies implemented in South Africa. It provides more insight as to why employees resist HIV/AIDS testing. It can furthermore assist organisations in developing strategies for implementing effective HIV/AIDS awareness and/or prevention programmes. More specifically, the findings identified ways in which organisations can redesign their intervention programmes so as to encourage a greater number of employees to submit to voluntary HIV/AIDS testing.</p>

The HIV and AIDS pandemic is arguably the greatest threat facing the world today. The pandemic has a far-reaching impact on society, including the workplace. The effect in the workplace is observed in various areas including a reduction in certain skills levels, mortality and declining job performance of employees living with HIV or AIDS. In addition, the fear of discrimination and stigmatisation prevents infected employees from disclosing their HIV status, thus driving the pandemic underground. Despite the potential negative impact that is looming, many employers still do not have any workplace support programmes in place to manage HIV and AIDS in their organisations. However, some employers have implemented workplace support programmes. This research thus explored the influence of workplace support programmes on the job performance of employees that were living with HIV or AIDS. The findings suggest that job performance is positively influenced where workplace support programmes have been implemented. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

A magnitude da epidemia da aids e os desafios em garantir uma rede de atenção que atenda às necessidades das pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS justificam a realização do presente estudo, que tem por objetivos: contextualizar a trajetória em busca por cuidados de uma mulher que vive com HIV/AIDS e discutir os nós críticos da integralidade neste percurso. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, qualitativo, exploratório, na perspectiva teórico-conceitual da Integralidade. Utilizou-se a História de Vida Focal e o Itinerário Terapêutico. Para análise dos resultados, utilizou-se análise de discurso proposta por Fiorin. Identificou-se neste percurso que os desafios de conviver com o HIV consistiram em: lidar com o risco da transmissão vertical; conviver com o medo de ter o diagnóstico revelado; e conciliar a rotina de vida com a manutenção da terapia antirretroviral. As fragilidades da integralidade neste percurso consistiram em: predominante visão biológica do adoecimento na Atenção Básica; falta de articulação entre UBS, SAE-DST/AIDS e maternidade; falta de fluxos estruturados para a assistência da mulher com HIV na maternidade; e a invisibilidade do trabalho da enfermeira. Como potencialidades da integralidade: as Redes de Sustentação (família e amiga) e Apoio (trabalho, estudo, igreja e alguns profissionais de saúde); e a organização dos serviços ao favorecer acessibilidade à usuária no sistema de serviços de saúde. Concluiu-se que a articulação dos serviços ainda se encontra fragilizada e que está no usuário a centralidade da busca por cuidados, sendo ele e sua família, elos integradores entre os diferentes serviços assistenciais de saúde. Apontou-se a necessária implementação de Linhas de Cuidado na Atenção em HIV/AIDS, a fim de buscar integralidade na organização dos fluxos assistenciais. / The magnitude of the AIDS epidemic and the need for a network of comprehensive care to people living with HIV/AIDS justify the conduct of this study. The study aims were: to contextualize the trajectory in search for care of a woman living with HIV/AIDS and to discuss the critical points of the Comprehensiveness in this trajectory. This was a case-study, qualitative, exploratory, with the theoretical-conceptual of the Comprehensiveness. The method used was the Focused Life History and the Therapeutic Itinerary. The data were analyzed using the Fiorins Technical Discourse. The study identified that there are challenges of living with HIV: afraid of the risk of vertical transmission during pregnancy; to omit the diagnosis of HIV for afraid of prejudice and social isolation; and to reconcile the routine of study, work, care for her daughter and her mother, with the need to remain adhered to antiretroviral therapy. The problems of the Comprehensiveness in this trajectory were: predominantly biological view of illness in Primary Health Care; lack of articulation between Basic Health Units, Reference Units on HIV/AIDS and maternity hospital; lack of structured flows for the assistance of women with HIV in maternity hospital; and invisibility of the nurses work. As potentials Comprehensiveness: networks of support (family, friend, some health workers, church, work and study) and the organization of services to facilitate user access to the system of health services. It was concluded that the articulation of the services is still fragile and that the search for care has centrality in the user of health services. Furthermore, the study concluded that is the user of health services and her family that make link in the network of health services. The study indicated the necessary implementation of Lines of Care in HIV/AIDS Attention, to get Comprehensiveness in the organization of care flows.