[Daily sources of stress among HIV-positive women].
OBJECTIVE
To categorize and describe the daily sources of stress encountered by HIV-infected women.


METHODS
Using a semi-structured questionnaire, 150 interviews were conducted among HIV-infected women who attended the Reference and Treatment Center for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Aids in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, between July and December 1997. The studied variables were: demographics, family structure, risk perception, sexuality, access to health system, treatment compliance, drug use, and significant and stressful events. Stressful events are further discussed here.


RESULTS
Only 14% of the stressful events are directly related to the treatment and illness itself. Sources of stress were categorized as follows: family relations (17%); partner relationship (12%); children (14%); illness (14%); non-family relationship (9%); financial (8%); professional (7%); discrimination issues (7%); others (4%); and no response (8%).


CONCLUSIONS
Stressful events are mainly related to affective/relationship sources, most often associated to the HIV stigma and mostly to women-related subjects. Health care professionals should provide integral care to HIV-infected women.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Fontes cotidianas de estresse entre mulheres portadoras de HIV.