Aim:

The objective was to learn about the experiences of HIV/AIDS carriers attending a self-help group founded as part of the Health Promotion program.

Method:

This is a descriptive study of a retrospective character, using qualitative analysis. Data was collected from the records of a self-help group involving HIV-infected patients in an outpatient clinic specializing in infectious diseases in Fortaleza, Brazil, between February and October 2010, and analyzed.

Result:

The results were categorized into: (1) Knowledge: when there is the incorporation of new concepts of fact or phenomenon; (2) Motivation: when it is linked to personal attributes that modify the desire of the subjects; (3) Adherence: when it involves a collaborative process where involves the subjects' participation in their treatment decisions and (4) Behavior Change: when it is associated with a positive or negative conditions in their lives.

Conclusion:

The educational actions developed in the group activities had great importance in the teaching and learning processes for the creation and transformation of the subjects involved.