title: [Conceptual aspects of educational practices for HIV/AIDS prevention].
abstract: The importance and complexity of educational work related to HIV prevention demand a continuing discussion of its contents. Regarding the ideologic features, it must be assumed that, with the AIDS epidemic, medical science reaches a dimension of the life relatively preserved from its previous hegemonic position: sexual behavior. In this field, a coercive attitude on the part of health professionals may lead to negative reactions. To avoid this, individual and community participation and self-responsibility are central tools for the improvement of the efficacy of education practices. The author proposes three components that educational planners should consider: information and its effects on knowledge, attitudes, and perception related to HIV infection; response facilitation; and support for individual and collective reflection.
authors.affiliation: Posto de Saúde, Associação dos Moradores e Amigos do Bairro Barcellos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 22451-410, Brasil.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fernandes