How Indigenous and non-Indigenous women look at AIDS: convergences and singularities*

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the way AIDS is configured in the eyes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women. Method: A descriptive study implementing a mixed approach, conducted in three indigenous villages and in a surrounding municipality. A semi-structured interview script was used, with identification data and questions related to the disease perception, the way of seeing and feeling AIDS. The corpus was processed by IRaMuTeQ software and analyzed by Descending Hierarchical Classification, Content Analysis and Word Cloud. Results: A total of 164 Potiguara indigenous women and 386 non-Indigenous women participated. Three classes were formed: “AIDS and its repercussions”, “Social aspects, spirituality and attributed feelings” and “Transmission modes”. There was a better understanding of the etiology, treatment and AIDS transmission modes among non- Indigenous women, while the content mainly surrounds negative elements such as death, fear, sadness and prejudice among Indigenous women. Conclusion: The knowledge produced in interactions were formed according to the social context and gain its own significance. Such considerations may contribute to the direction of strategic HIV/AIDS control policies focusing on ethnic/cultural specificities.

Intercultural repertories of women on HIV/AIDS conceptions in na interethnic scenario

“…The increase in migratory flows and mobility of women living between cultures has, on the one hand, promoted positive changes in family dynamics and economy, in parental, feminine and educational roles, on the other hand, it has favored tensions and identity conflicts, accentuating differences between majorities and minorities. 3 Indigenous women in general are poor and, in most cases, exposed to intra-and extra-group discrimination due to the social condition of being women and in contact with external society, marginalized due to their ethnic condition. 3 Such disadvantages increase their vulnerability to various diseases, including HIV/AIDS.…”

“…3 Indigenous women in general are poor and, in most cases, exposed to intra-and extra-group discrimination due to the social condition of being women and in contact with external society, marginalized due to their ethnic condition. 3 Such disadvantages increase their vulnerability to various diseases, including HIV/AIDS.…”

“…Circumstantially, the geographic proximity and social dynamics between these women promotes interactions and cultural dialogue, sharing values, practices, customs that transcend their cultural realities/specificities. 3,7 That said, it is clear, a priori, that this group is not untouchable, exempt and alienated due to interethnic coexistence.…”

Repertórios interculturais de mulheres sobre concepções de HIV/AIDS em cenário interétnico

“…O aumento dos fluxos migratórios e da mobilidade de mulheres que vivem entre culturas se, por um lado, promoveu mudanças positivas na dinâmica e na economia familiar, nos papéis parentais, femininos e educativos, por outro, favoreceu tensões e conflitos identitários, acentuando as diferenças entre as maiorias e as minorias. 3 As mulheres indígenas em geral são pobres e, na maioria dos casos, expostas à discriminação intra e extra-grupos pela condição social de serem mulheres e no contato com a sociedade externa, marginalizadas por sua condição étnica. 3 Tais desvantagens aumentam a sua vulnerabilidade aos agravos diversos, incluindo o HIV/AIDS.…”

“…3 As mulheres indígenas em geral são pobres e, na maioria dos casos, expostas à discriminação intra e extra-grupos pela condição social de serem mulheres e no contato com a sociedade externa, marginalizadas por sua condição étnica. 3 Tais desvantagens aumentam a sua vulnerabilidade aos agravos diversos, incluindo o HIV/AIDS.…”