Religiosidade e autocuidado em relação ao HIV e à AIDS entre mulheres atendidas no Centro de Referência da Saúde da Mulher em Santarém/Pará

Abstract

The increase in cases of HIV and AIDS among women demonstrates that the propagation has provoked changes in the profile of the epidemic. The religious dimension is important in the existence of the human being and the religious space with regards to HIV and AIDS can be a place of welcome and support for the women and of encouragement of preventive behaviors, but it can also be a place where there can exist isolation and prejudice, encouraging behaviors which make them more vulnerable. The goal of this paper was to analyze the influence of religiosity on women s self care with regard to HIV and AIDS. In the first chapter a bibliographic review is presented on the relation between religion/religiosity and self care, women and HIV/AIDS. In the second chapter a field research is presented with its methodological paths, results and discussion of the latter. 100 women between the ages of 18 and 49 who were attended by the Reference Center of Women s Health were interviewed. This center is localized in the Municipality of Santarém Pará. This is an explorative study, using various methods, dealing with quantitative as well as qualitative data. The collection of data occurred between the months of August and September of 2014. To reach the goals, a questionnaire with open and closed questions was used relating to the socio-demographic profile, the DUREL - Duke Religiosity Scale, the relation between religiosity and health and about risk behaviors, prevention practices, self perception and knowledge with regard to HIV and to AIDS. It was observed that the majority of the women of the research presented a high level of religiosity, affirming that they take care of their health, and that the religious belief helps them face the processes of health/sickness, however there is not a consensus that religious belief influences in the protection and care against HIV. Even knowing the forms of prevention and contamination of HIV these women do not customarily make use of condoms and have a low perception of the risk of being infected. The conclusion is that religious practices are not helping in practicing healthy behaviors and in overcoming situations of vulnerability.