Communication of the diagnosis of HIV infection: experience of young people

Abstract This qualitative research aimed at identifying the elements of the communication process of HIV infection diagnosis in the experience of ten participants from Southern Brazil aged between 15 and 24 years old that was conducted via content analysis based on the theoretical categories of Lasswell’s model. The channel was the medical consultation; the context was determined by the type of exposure (vertical or horizontal); the noises presented veiled issues and uncertainties; the failures involved situations that led the young person to suspect the diagnosis; and the effects involved immediate emotional reactions that dissipated over time. Communication in adolescence was punctual and triggered by family members with support from professionals, indicating the need to improve the communicative process. The communication of the HIV diagnosis is usually postponed by family members when it comes to children or adolescents, which violates the principle of autonomy by disregarding the right to know.