The stigmas surrounding Religious Beliefs and People Living with HIV

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection due to its severity, mainly due to the evolution of opportunistic diseases and its pandemic character, represents a current health problem. In this context, religion and spirituality collaborate to confront this health problem. Objectives: To analyze the stigmas that involve religious beliefs and people living with HIV (PLHA). Methodology: A cross - sectional, qualitative descriptive study that used a semi - structured interview script in 17 patients undergoing treatment at the Immunology outpatient clinic of a University Hospital of Rio de Janeiro. The qualitative analysis of the speeches used the Content Analysis method, aiming at interpreting the meaning of the narratives of the subjects interviewed. Discussion: The stigmas surrounding disease and prejudice promote behavioral changes in the individual. However, Religious Beliefs and Spirituality influence the breaking of paradigms and minimize the suffering of these patients, consolidating a network of solidarity involving religion and patient, which provides improvements in the quality of life of these individuals. Conclusion: Religious beliefs were identified as promoters of behavioral changes and transposition of stigmas related to the disease.