Objective to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with the human immunodeficiency virus. Methods this is a descriptive and documentary study, developed from the sociodemographic and clinical information registered in the identification sheets of 33 patients diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 18, with calculation of statistical measures and association between variables. Results regarding the characteristics of the patients, the average age was 42 years, ranging from 20 to 64 years, 54.5% were women, married and with low level of education, 84.8% were heterosexual and exposed to the virus through of sexual intercourse (p=0.495). Conclusion the patients with the infection were women, young, with low education and exposure to the virus due to sexual contact and unprotected sex with multiple partners.

Objetivo descrever as características sociodemográficas e clínicas de pacientes diagnosticados com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana. Métodos estudo descritivo e documental, desenvolvido a partir das informações sociodemográficas e clínicas contidas nas fichas de identificação de 33 pacientes diagnosticados com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana. Os dados foram analisados por meio do programa Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 18 para o cálculo das medidas estatísticas e associação entre variáveis. Resultados em relação às características dos pacientes, a média de idade foi de 42 anos, variando entre 20 e 64 anos, 54,5% mulheres, casados e com baixa escolaridade, 84,8% heterossexuais e que se expuseram ao vírus por meio de relação sexual (p=0,495). Conclusão percebeu-se que os pacientes com a infecção foram mulheres, jovens, com baixo nível de instrução e com exposição ao vírus pelo contato sexual e multiparcerias desprotegidas.

ABSTRACT Background Toxoplasmosis is an infection that affects almost a third of the world population. In adults, it is often asymptomatic, although having important manifestation in children- infected by placental transmission. The prenatal is an important moment, requiring actions in women’s care during pregnancy, in order to prevent diseases that could compromise the mother and the child’s life. Methods This is a descriptive study of qualitative approach aimed to understand the perception of nurses and pregnant women about toxoplasmosis during primary – prenatal care. The study was conducted in five selected primary health care units, in the municipality of São Luis - MA. The sample consisted of 15 nurses working in nursing consultation and 15 pregnant women attended in prenatal care. For data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide covering issues related to knowledge and conduct on toxoplasmosis were used. For analysis, the content analysis technique was used. Results The answers were transcribed, organized and grouped thematically, where the following categories emerged: knowledge about examination requests; knowledge about toxoplasmosis; guidance during prenatal consultation; knowledge of nurses about the avidity test; procedures and guidelines on reagent cases. Pregnant women showed unawareness about toxoplasmosis and its effects. Nurses, although having basic knowledge about the subject, showed little applicability regarding pregnant women’s guidance. Conclusion The nurse plays an important role in educational activities regarding pregnant women, contributing to the quality of prenatal care. Pregnant women were shown to have some knowledge about toxoplasmosis, although they said they did not have assurance about prevention.