Introduction:

The spread of HIV / aids in women is related to women's vulnerability, as their biological, social, economic and cultural characteristics that favor the acquisition of HIV. Other studies have discussed about social support, disease management and spiritual activities as main coping mechanisms used by this population.

Objective:

To analyze coping mechanisms used by women living with HIV / aids.

Methods:

This is a qualitative study, developed a specialized service with 12 women diagnosed with HIV infection. For data collection were performed interviewed and their contents were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results:

From analysis of the speeches emerged the category coping mechanisms used by women living with HIV / aids; and two sub-categories: positive coping (Search for religiosity, social support) and negative coping (Silencing seropositivity to HIV).

Conclusions:

The social support found in the nuclear family and the support found in religiosity, contributed to overcome the difficulties. But the woman still keeps silent about his diagnosis of seropositivity to HIV for fear of discrimination and prejudice situations.

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