The experience of hiv-positive mothers awaiting confirmation of their child's diagnosis

Abstract

This study is based on Symbolic Interactionism, and describes the social experience of HIV-positive mothers who lived through the uncertainty of having infected their child during pregnancy. Ten women were interviewed, some still awaiting the result. The analysis showed that mothers experience anxiety and guilt, despite information about the chances that the child was not infected as a result of antiretroviral treatment. Distrust, fear or a desire to die, a hope that the situation is not real, fear of discrimination, and concern about their children in case they die translate into breaks and creation of new social interactions, based on forms of secrets.