Line of care for children and adolescents living with HIV: participatory research with professionals and managers^a

ABSTRACT

Objective

To build a network for the health care of children and adolescents living with HIV.

Method

Participatory research developed through the focus group technique with 23 professionals and managers of the primary and specialized care services, in a city in the south of Brazil. The empirical data was subjected to thematic content analysis.

Results

The fact that health care provided to this population is mostly performed in specialized services fostered the discussion about the conceptual, structural and social aspects of the theme. It was agreed that the assistance should be performed centered on the user and shared among the services, considering the qualifying attributes of care. The assignments of each service, the articulations and the operationalization were defined for integration among the network points. The validation of the main ideas culminated in the construction of a care network for children and adolescents living with HIV.

Conclusion and implications for practice

The implementation of this product, adapted to the municipalities’ daily assistance practice, requires strategic actions for integrating the points of care and for qualifying health care for this population.

Keywords:
Comprehensive Health Care; Child Health; Adolescent Health; HIV; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome