Galvao K, Medrado B, Lyra J, Nascimento P, Moraes M, Adriao M, Lima DC; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. ThPeF8152.
Programa PAPAI, Recife/PE, Brazil
When discussing about sexuality, little is said of the relation between the processes of socialization and the models of masculinity and their role on the increased vulnerability to HIV/Aids. However, men are socialized since their early days to respond to social expectations in an active way, where risks are not something to be avoided or prevented, but challenged and surpassed. The notion of self-care gives place to one of self-destruction, to a life in many senses, risky. Men and young men in general, usually resist to recognize a health problem and to seek medical assistance, thus, creating a complex situation given the context of the HIV/Aids epidemic. We started a research-intervention project with low income young men, students of a state high school, from Recife/Brazil, working in weekly workshops of sensitization and prevention, trying to promote the deconstruction of what we consider to be vulnerable masculine traits when confronted with the infection of HIV/Aids and other STDs. We use Theatre and Development theory as our methodological resource, as a tool to reflection regarding their current attitude towards life and the possibilities of new practices, thus, opening way to discuss the models of manhood and the vulnerability associated with them. The young men we work with have demonstrated a higher interest concerning their health and the prevention of HIV/Aids, therefore, a better notion of self-care, making possible for them to rethink, even if in a symbolic way, the connections between these subjects, and reconstruct them, in a positive and less vulnerable manner. We consider that it is extremely important to grasp the community's concepts of health, STD/Aids and prevention, before initializing interventional policies. Having this as a reference, we are structuring with the young men's group, multiplicative actions that use art/theatre to overcome the school's walls, reaching the local community.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Brazil
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Infection
- Male
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexuality
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- education
Other ID:
UI: 102259193
From Meeting Abstracts