Maternal and child vulnerability: nonadherence factors to HIV vertical transmission prophylaxis

This study aimed to identify nonadherence factors to HIV vertical transmission prophylaxis.The study is an integrative review through LILACS data basis from terms: HIV, pregnant women and antenatal care. The inclusion criteria were 9 unabridged Brazilian papers published from 1997 to 2007 by an electronic medium. Thematic analysis identified the following adherence factors: self-care, care for and by others. Nonadherence factors included: socioeconomic situation, femininity circumstances, access to information, silence, understanding of vulnerability situation, prejudice and healthcare services barriers. The conceptual framework for the analysis was that of vulnerability. The individual frame comprised maternal-child biological, clinical and behavioural susceptibility. The social included economical and sociocultural aspects. The programmatic frame covered the healthcare policy. In order to promote the adherence and to minimize these vulnerabilities, a multidisciplinary (biological, clinical, social and subjective) intervention is necessary in all healthcare service levels.