INFORMAÇÃO E SAÚDE: FALANDO SOBRE O HTLV EM UMA MATERNIDADE PÚBLICA DO RECIFE.

Abstract

Introduction: HTLV (Human T-Lymphotropic Virus) is a neglected, silent, persistent, and incurable infection whose transmission occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse, parenteral/blood exposure, and vertically from mother to child, either transplacentally, during childbirth, or through breastfeeding. The latter route accounts for a significant number of cases compared to other modes, due to the high proviral load present in breast milk, making the inhibition of lactation one of the most important prevention strategies against retrovirus transmission. Thus, the importance of disseminating this topic becomes evident, given the population’s lack of knowledge about it. Method: The present study used a health-education approach focused on HTLV, in which actions were carried out through clear and objective lectures, combined with the distribution of illustrative folders, by four undergraduate nursing students over a 16-day period, distributed across eight weeks between March and April of 2024, with pregnant women as the target audience. Results: It is estimated that approximately 120 people were reached during the intervention days. Many participants demonstrated that they were learning about the topic for the first time, and initial apprehension was followed by clarification after the explanation of what HTLV actually is. Final Considerations: Given this scenario, health education becomes an important mechanism for disseminating knowledge to pregnant women, serving as an essential tool for health promotion and disease prevention—particularly in this key population due to the transmissibility associated with breastfeeding.