Known infected. Impact of HIV screening in women diagnosed during pregnancy

Abstract

The HIV /AIDS epidemic has been gaining numerical importance amongst women. Several elements have favored the increase by sexual transmission, among which are included those associated with women’s greater biological risk, their condition of gender and greater impoverishment. This article refers to the way in which six pregnant HIV bearers organize their lives from the time of diagnosis of the infection. It describes and analyzes, from a socio-anthropological viewpoint, their encounter with the infection, the immediate changes that took place in their lives and surroundings, and the process of social concealment of their new state, from which they must reconstruct their own identity. The article contemplates the socio-cultural context in which the infection occurs, taking as an axis the condition of gender, poverty, marginalization and stigma.