LAUSR

OBJECTIVE To analyze the social representations of health professionals regarding the care of people living with HIV. METHOD A descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach in light of the Theory of Social Representations, carried out with health professionals. The semi-structured interview technique was used, which was analyzed using the lexical content analysis technique. RESULTS Forty-six (46) professionals participated. The analyzed results reveal that the representations and care practices referred to by health professionals are technical, relational and organizational, ensuring the confidentiality of the diagnosis and taking care to develop embracement actions, provide guidance, clarification and emotional and psychological support, as well as being based on confidentiality, multi-professional care practice and addressing structural difficulties. CONCLUSION It is important to encourage multiprofessional care for people living with HIV, so that professionals engage, develop critical thinking and are able to act in improving healthcare services.