Introduction:

HIV/AIDS has been a stigmatized disease since its emergence. Women, as a vulnerable group in the AIDS epidemic, are exposed to dissimilar situations, which puts the doctor in a dilemma for decision-making.

Objective:

To describe ethical dilemmas in the care of women living with HIV/AIDS.

Method:

A descriptive and qualitative study was carried out in Havana, between September 2017 and May 2018, with women with HIV/AIDS. Some techniques were used, such as documentary review, the focus group, and in-depth interviews with women diagnosed with HIV.

Conclusions:

The doctor faces a range of ethical dilemmas in the care of women with HIV/AIDS, such as those linked to the communication of the diagnosis and its confidentiality, pregnancy, and the spread of the epidemic. These should be carefully solved to improve the care and the support to these people. The key could be the comprehensive training of health professionals regarding the subject, in view of the respect for the rights and understanding of people with HIV, especially women.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )