7th International AIDS Conference Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:451 (abstract no. W.D.4254)
Ollivier B, Reboulot B, Cassuto JP; CHRU Nice - France

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the characteristic reactions and apprehensions of the general public during an information campaign for the prevention of AIDS during the summer season.

METHOD: Analyse the behaviour in different setting (direct contact with the public, information booths, brochure distribution). The public targeted by this campaign was the population in the second most affected region by AIDS in France, the Maritime Alps. Many tourists visit this region. A total of 12,263 persons, of whom 2,922 (23.8%) were foreigners, were contacted during this campaign.

RESULTS: The great majority of persons contacted had a strikingly passive attitude. Three behaviour patterns were observed: -Attitudes of resistance, rejection, and avoidance (20%), which manifested itself as a categorical refusal to receive information. The principal components were: indifference, verbal aggressiveness, avoidance, denial, trivialization... -Cooperation more or less accepted (60%), receiving information after solicitation by the interviewer. -Autonomous and voluntary steps (20%), reflecting a conscious realization of the importance of the phenomenon or motivated by personal interests: the patient infected with AIDS or their parents, recent high risk behavour,...

CONCLUSION: Although well publicized, AIDS appears to be charged with negative connotations, even extending to people not directly affected by the disease. It calls to mind numerous taboos, associated notably with promiscuity, deviant behaviour, and death. It induces numerous defense mechanisms characterized by diminished receptiveness, to the point of complete refusal of all objective facts.

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