Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MIGUEL FERREIRA JÚNIOR

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MIGUEL FERREIRA JÚNIOR
DATE: 06/02/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: meet
TITLE:

Challenges and Trajectories in HIV Diagnosis in Natal/RN: A Comparative Study Between LGBTQIAPN+ and Heterosexual Populations

KEY WORDS:

Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Social Stigma. Health Services Accessibility. HIV Diagnosis. Unified Health System.

PAGES: 215
BIG AREA: Ciências da Saúde
AREA: Saúde Coletiva
SUMMARY:

Timely HIV diagnosis is the central pillar for epidemic control, serving as the gateway to treatment and the interruption of the transmission chain. However, Brazil faces the challenge of overcoming late diagnosis, which still shows high rates. In Natal/RN, the trajectories toward discovering one's serology are marked by barriers ranging from the fear of stigma to operational failures in the provision of tests within Primary Care. Understanding how different social groups access diagnosis is crucial to identifying why testing is not yet a routine and universal practice, as recommended by public health policies. This thesis aims to investigate the challenges and barriers related to HIV diagnosis in Natal/RN, considering the role of Basic Health Units, the experiences of people already diagnosed, and the perceptions of those who have never been tested, with a comparative focus between LGBTQIAPN+ and heterosexual populations. Using a mixed-methods approach conducted through a thesis by collection (articles), the research focuses on the analysis of diagnosis through three lenses: 1) Epidemiological Surveillance, through spatial and temporal mapping of detection rates and late detection in the municipality (2013-2024); 2) Quantitative, evaluating knowledge about prevention and testing technologies; and 3) Qualitative, through narrative interviews with recently diagnosed individuals to reconstruct the itinerary traveled from suspicion or exposure to the confirmation of the positive result in the health network, as well as with individuals who have never tested. Partial findings indicate that diagnosis in Natal occurs heterogeneously. While the LGBTQIAPN+ population shows a higher active search for tests, often motivated by self-perception of risk, they face severe barriers of institutional stigma. In contrast, the heterosexual population tends to discover their serology at more advanced stages of infection or incidentally (such as during prenatal care), due to the low offer of routine testing by health professionals. Spatial analysis reveals "diagnostic voids" in peripheral areas, suggesting that geographic distance and the organization of Basic Health Units directly impact the opportunity for discovering one's serological status. Preliminary conclusions indicate that the diagnostic system in Natal is reactive rather than proactive. Late diagnosis reflects a care model that still associates HIV with "risk groups," failing to normalize testing as common healthcare. The trajectory toward diagnosis is, therefore, interrupted by structural prejudices and a lack of qualified welcoming at the SUS entry point. It is expected that the final results will guide the implementation of decentralized and de-stigmatizing testing strategies. The research projects the need for continuous training so that diagnosis is offered ethically and integrated, ensuring that the first 95-95-95 goal is achieved with social equity in Natal.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2374850 - THAIZA TEIXEIRA XAVIER NOBRE
Interna - 2262871 - ANA ELZA OLIVEIRA DE MENDONCA
Externo à Instituição - FELIPE CAZEIRO DA SILVA