title: Analysis of proxemic communication with HIV/AIDS patients.
abstract: This descriptive and exploratory study analyzed the proxemic factors of the nursing team and HIV/AIDS patients in a hospital environment in Fortaleza - CE, between October and November 2004. Data were collected through non-participant observation. Forty-one interactions were analyzed, in which no gender influence was observed. The professional's position towards the patient was mainly standing; intimate distance occurred in 21.95% of interactions, which were mostly related to technical procedures; personal distance predominated in 63.41% of cases, which were related to technical care; social distance occurred in 14.64% of interactions, which were aimed at conservation; obstacles were present in 15 interactions; local touch was the most frequent contact behavior; visual contact was present in 11 interactions, with a view to regulating the conversation flow; the tone of voice was found always adequate. Through proxemics, we can identify important factors in communication with HIV/AIDS patients.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Ceará. marligalvao@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marli Teresinha Gimeniz
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Galvão
authors.forename: Simone de Sousa
authors.initials: Sde S
authors.lastname: Paiva
authors.forename: Namie Okino
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Lorita Marlena Freitag
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pagliuca
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D019370:Observation; D011187:Posture; D013037:Spatial Behavior