Post-accident work behavior in caring for people with HIV/Aids.

Objective: To identify post-accident conduct in the workplace by health professionals in caring for people with HIV/Aids.

Method: A qualitative and descriptive research study with a socio-historical perspective (1986-2006), performed in a reference hospital for infectious diseases in the State of Santa Catarina. To collect data, interviews were conducted with oral history among 23 health workers and, for the treatment of data, Bardin's content analysis was used.

Results: Post-accident behaviors emerged that included assessment, accident records, chemoprophylaxis when necessary, support, monitoring of the injured worker, and mainly psychological support.

Conclusion: In situations in which the accident could not be avoided, post-exposure behaviors were important biosecurity strategies mentioned by health workers caring for patients with HIV/Aids, in the sense of minimizing the possible transmission of the HIV virus.