[Between the fear of HIV contamination and the symbolic representations of AIDS: the specter of contemporary despair].
Lack of knowledge and misinformations on HIV/AIDS are predictors of emotional responses as fear of contagion, homophobia, avoidance and excessive precautions. Fear of contagion is an affective stress response to the neurocognitive activity that leads to a perceived threat of AIDS in connection with the symbolic meanings os illness. Focused interviews were conducted with an opportunistic sample of 31 young people to know the affective responses and behaviors after blood screening for HIV antibody testing. The findings confirm the relationship of symbolic representation of illness as mystery, death, punishment and sexuality to fear of contagion and mitic conception of AIDS.
Meneghin
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013561:Symbolism