Living with the HIV/AIDS carrier: opinion of carnival participants

Abstract

Objective: to identify people’s opinion about the coexistence with HIV bearer. Method: this was a descriptive research with a quantitative approach, held in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. The sample was randomly composed by 630 participants of the samba school parades, by applying a structured interview script. The data were tabulated, organized and analyzed using descriptive statistics; being approved by the CEP of the University Veiga de Almeida number 270/11. Results: the majority of respondents would not have protected sex with a person with HIV/AIDS; they consider that this person should always work and would not worry that their child studies with a virus carrier. Conclusion: The results indicate that living with a person with HIV at work or school, have higher acceptance than the maintenance of sexual relationship, and is necessary to highlight the importance of demystifying the subject.