Hodgson I; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. MoPeD2772.
I. Hodgson, University of Bradford, School of Health Studies, 25 Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0BB, United Kingdom, Tel.: +44 127 423 6378, Fax: +44 127 423 6373, E-mail: i.j.hodgson@brad.ac.uk
Issues: Explanatory models of illness have been addressed in a large number of studies over the years, in general health, and with reference to HIV. These studies usually focus on the experience of patients and identify the role of culture as central to the persons' construction of meaning, in both the developed and developing world Description: Equal consideration needs to be given to the context of those engaging with this client group, but not infected with the virus. Cultural frameworks, useful in dealing with new or threatening situations, are instrumental in shaping responses to HIV and AIDS. In the developed world, HIV is one of the first incurable infectious diseases for a generation, a key factor in many studies suggesting attitudes towards people with HIV are negative. In the developing world also, where HIV is but one of a host of other infectious diseases, studies suggest attitudes towards people with the virus are often equally unconstructive. Focus: Cultural beliefs are articulated through myths, a form of narrative from the distant and recent past that still plays a primary role in our `modern' world, by perpetuating value systems and influence perception. Myths define our understanding of concepts such as contagion and deserved/undeserved illness. Their apparent validity, founded on notions of 'ancient' value or collective acceptability, often supersedes objectivity and the primacy of moral imperatives, leading to an exaggerated fear of contagion, and negative judgements, in the health care and policy-making arenas. Conclusion: This paper will propose that an awareness of these underlying frameworks is essential. Recommendations will be made as to speeding up the disengagement from the power differential epitomised in the 'medical gaze' as defined by Michel Foucault, and assist the development of an appropriate context of care for people with HIV, in both the developed and developing world.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Attitude
- Communicable Diseases
- Communication
- Comprehension
- Culture
- Folklore
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Perception
- Virus Diseases
- education
- ethnology
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102238522
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