AEGiS-14IAC: The making of people living with HIV and AIDS: identities, illness, and social organization in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

The making of people living with HIV and AIDS: identities, illness, and social organization in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11406)

Valle CG
Dept. of Cultural Anthropology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, IFCS-UFRJ., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: This research focuses on the emergence, the maintenance and the conflicting relations between different processes and models of identity formation, particularly on the ways in which PWA identities are socially circulated and performed. My major analytical question was how a social process caused by the AIDS epidemic has constructed particular models of identity, which are associated with sexualiy, gender and illness. I look at the specific context of institutionalized forms of social organization, especially those of non-governmental affiliation that were created in the social world of AIDS in Rio de Janeiro.

METHODS: Based on a historical and ethnographic perspective, fieldwork was carried out in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro. I visited AIDS NGOs, gay groups, and clinical settings involved with AIDS treatments and care. As a case-study, I conducted ethnographic research in the Grupo Pela Vidda-RJ. The selected methods were (a) participant observation; (b) in-depth interviews (52 informants - 29 men and 23 women); (c) survey (78 informants - 43 men and 35 women).

RESULTS: There is a clear social and cultural positivity in the effects generated by individuals, groups, and organizations in the production and emergence of certain forms of identity. I considered above all the social, political and cultural processes of identity formation, specifically how to become "HIV positive", "HIV negative" or "aidetico", which are clinical and stigmatized identities ascribed to and used by different agents depending on contexts, groups and actors.

CONCLUSIONS: My main contribution was to give a better understanding of the constitutive tension between broad processes and specific contexts of identity formation in Brazil. This tension is fueled by different organizational and ideological models at work in Rio de Janeiro. The making of a Brazilian "PLWHA" social movement was directly influenced by this particular scenario.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Homosexuality, Male, Organizations, Disease Outbreaks, Health Personnel, Voluntary Health Agencies, Consumer Organizations, Brazil, Human, Female, Male

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