title: [Hope in HIV-positive women].
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the hope in the lives of HIV-positive women, using the Herth Hope Scale (HHS). Participants were 111 HIV-positive women who attended a referral outpatient clinic in Fortaleza-CE. From January to May 2009, interviews were held to collect biopsychosocial variables, and the HHS was applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS-8.0 and revealed an average hope index of 34.86, indicating that these women have little hope in life in view of their diagnosis of HIV. The scale item with the highest score was faith. This probably derives from the fact that Aids is incurable, transmissible and generates negative stigma, in addition to its relation with the idea of imminent death. In conclusion, measuring hope among HIV patients through the use of an instrument permits intervention assessment and planning, promoting assistance and motivation to live better and maintain a hopeful attitude.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. marligalvao@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marli Teresinha Gimeniz
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Galvão
authors.forename: Danuta Yelena Goiana
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Bonfim
authors.forename: Elucir
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gir
authors.forename: Carolina Maria
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: de Lima Carvalho
authors.forename: Paulo Cesar
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Alessandra Cristina Sartore
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Balsanelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult