Práticas de higiene para pacientes com HIV/AIDS Prácticas de higiene para los pacientes con VIH/SIDA

The objective of this study was to analyze the scientifi c production on health interventions related to hygiene for adults with HIV/ AIDS. An integrative literature review was performed using six databases in June 2013. The descriptors AIDS and Hygiene were used, in Portuguese, English or Spanish. A total of 682 articles were found and 16 were selected. Personal hygiene practices were identifi ed, such as hand washing, showers, tooth brushing and quitting smoking. Food hygiene practices involved washing food and kitchen utensils, using treated water, conserving and cooking food. Environmental hygiene took into account raising domestic animals, control of disease vectors, household cleanliness, waste disposal and basic sanitation. In conclusion, these specifi c hygiene interventions can be applied to the general population and, especially, to people with HIV/AIDS, due to immunosuppression. Descriptors: HIV. Acquired Immunodefi ciency Syndrome. Hygiene. Health promotion. Nursing. RESUMO O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as produções científi cas sobre as intervenções de saúde relacionadas à higiene de adultos com HIV/ AIDS. Realizou-se revisão integrativa da literatura, por meio de seis bases de dados, no mês de junho de 2013. Utilizou-se os descritores AIDS e Higiene, nos idiomas português, inglês ou espanhol. Foram encontrados 682 artigos e selecionados 16. Identifi caram-se cuidados de higiene pessoal, como a lavagem de mãos, banho, escovação dos dentes e abandono do hábito tabagista. Os cuidados de higiene alimentar envolveram a limpeza dos alimentos e utensílios domésticos, utilização de água tratada, conservação e cozimento dos alimentos. A higiene ambiental considerou os cuidados na criação de animais domésticos, controle de vetores de doenças, limpeza do domicílio, descarte de resíduos e saneamento básico. Conclui-se que as intervenções de higiene identifi cadas podem ser aplicáveis à população geral, e principalmente às pessoas que vivem com HIV/AIDS, devido à imunossupressão. Descritores: HIV. Síndrome de imunodefi ciência adquirida. Higiene. Promoção da saúde. Enfermagem. RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las producciones científi cas sobre intervenciones de salud relacionados con la higiene de adultos con VIH/SIDA. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura a través de seis bases de datos en junio de 2013. Se utilizaron los descriptores SIDA e Higiene, en portugués, inglés o español. Se encontraron 682 artículos y se seleccionaron 16. Se identifi caron higiene personal, como lavarse las manos, bañarse, cepillarse los dientes y no fumar. El cuidado de higiene de alimentos involucrados, limpiar alimentos y artículos domésticos, el uso de agua tratada, la conservación y cocción de alimentos. La higiene del medio ambiente consideró la crianza de animales domésticos, el control de vectores de enfermedades, la limpieza del hogar, la eliminación de residuos y saneamiento. Se concluye que las intervenciones de higiene pueden ser aplicables a la población general, especialmente, para las personas que viven con el VIH/SIDA, debido a la inmunosupresión. Descriptores: VIH. Síndrome de inmunodefi ciencia adquirida. Higiene. Promoción de la salud. Enfermería. Cunha GH, Araujo TL, Lima FET, Cavalcante TF, Galvão MTG 138 Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2014 set;35(3):137-144. INTRODUCTION Infection by the human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) is a high profi le health problem, due to its pandemic nature and severity. In Brazil, the fi rst cases of acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome (AIDS) appeared in the 1980s, among homosexuals, intravenous drug users and hemophiliacs. From 1980 to June 2012, 656,701 cases of AIDS were reported to the Notifi able Diseases Information System (SINAN, as per its acronym in Portuguese). Currently, the epidemic in the country is stable, concentrated among vulnerable sectors of the population. The reduction in morbidity and mortality by AIDS has occurred due to the introduction of the antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 1996. Brazil was the fi rst developing country to adopt a public policy providing access to ART. Even though ART is provided for free, the economic and political aspects of the populations in which AIDS has been spreading must be taken into account. Everyone may be subject to risk behavior, but the majority of the cases of AIDS occur in poor countries, suggesting a connection with low economic levels and lack of information. Since ART increases the post-diagnosis life expectancy of people with HIV/AIDS, and given the chronic nature of the disease, health care becomes signifi cantly important for these individuals, who need individual attention so that they will be able to develop skills to care for themselves and achieve improved quality of life. In terms of developing self-care skills, this can be accomplished through educational strategies related to adopting a healthy lifestyle, which becomes essential for those living with chronic diseases, such as AIDS. The care given to these patients is complex, since they have various problems, among which are inadequate hygiene habits. Research shows that defi cient self-care and insuffi cient knowledge are related to lack of interest to learn, low educational level and lack of skill with information resources. Hygiene consists of a set of knowledge necessary to prevent sickness and enhance people’s safety. At the same time, personal, social and cultural factors have an infl uence on hygiene practices. In institutions and households, nurses determine the ability of patients to provide self-care, promote hygiene practices according to their diff erent needs and adapt hygiene techniques and approaches. The term hygiene is Greek in origin and means “that which is healthy”, deriving from the name of the Greek god of health – Hygeia. This term can be combined with other words that expand its meaning: personal hygiene, food hygiene, collective hygiene, mental hygiene and environmental hygiene. At the turn of the 19 century, the concept of hygiene appeared for the fi rst time, understood as “the art of preserving life”. Subsequently, Florence Nightingale applied these hygiene practices to the wounded in the Crimean War and was able to lower mortality rates. Nightingale’s environmental model included ventilation, heating, light, noise, change of environment, clean beds and bedding, personal hygiene, nutrition and food intake. In 2006, the Pact for Life, in Defense of the Unifi ed Health System and Management was signed, establishing priorities that have had an impact on the health of the Brazilian population. This initiative stemmed from the need to broaden the access to quality health services which prioritize health and encourage healthy lifestyles, where hygiene plays an essential role. As professionals, nurses provide care in diff erent areas of health to people with HIV/AIDS. They need to understand the disease, improve routine behaviors, adopt precautionary measures to avoid accidental exposure to the virus and acquire knowledge about clinical treatment. Thus, through observing the needs of patients, educational strategies can be implemented to promote health and disease prevention, including guidelines on proper hygiene. HIV infection is a serious public health problem and constitutes a major challenge due to the absence of a cure, in addition to the social and economic barriers that interfere with adhering to the therapeutic regimen. In light of this and in order to enhance the care of people suff ering from HIV/AIDS, the objective of this study was to analyze the scientifi c production on health interventions related to the hygiene of adults with HIV/AIDS.