Jazmín Aranzazú Munguía Cortés

Representaciones sociales sobre la salud y la enfermedad de la población adulta de Guadajalara, México

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to identify the content and the organization of social representations on health and disease of an adult population of Guadalajara, Mexico, and to describe differences between the points of view of men and women. METHODOLOGY The methodology was structured focus groups of the social representations: associative methods of open listing and paired comparisons were used. The participant population was men and women of Guadalajara city, Mexico. They were selected by purpose sampling. The final analysis generates graphs of words on social representations organization of health and disease concepts. RESULTS The health concept had a holistic vision; including physical, emotional and spiritual aspects. Cleaning and to have a job is fundamental for prevention of disease. Men emphasise not having bad habits and women great interpersonal relationships. The disease concept includes biological and social points of view, such as physical deficiency, altered emotional status, the treatment and care of disease. Men emphasised the economic expense of medical care, and the women, the physical exhaustion of caring for sick people. CONCLUSION The proposals for the health educational practice are the inclusion of the gender point of view, respect for religious beliefs, emotional control and integral care.

Concepciones culturales del VIH/Sida de adolescentes de Bolivia, Chile y México

OBJECTIVE: To understand the cultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS among adolescent students. METHODS: A cognitive anthropological study was undertaken in Cochabamba (Bolivia), Talca (Chile) and Guadalajara (Mexico), during 2007 and 2008. A total of 184 teenagers (from 14 to 19 years old) were selected by purposeful sampling at secondary schools in each country. Free association lists and pile sorts were utilized. Terms associated with the concept of HIV/AIDS and groups of conceptual dimensions were investigated. Subsequently, consensus analysis was performed using factorial principal components and dimensional analysis through hierarchical clusters and multidimensional scales. RESULTS: The differences between the country contexts were in the degree of consensus in relation to the term HIV/AIDS, which was greater in Cochabamba. In Talca and Guadalajara the youths mentioned metaphors of fi ghting against HIV/AIDS, while in Cochabamba participants talked about help, support and love that infected people should receive. The similarities among conceptions by youth from the three countries were: the risk factors (unprotected sexual practice and contact with specifi c population groups), the consequences (physical and social death, being the latter understood as social rejection of people living with HIV/AIDS) and the prevention of illness (based on information and condom use). CONCLUSIONS: For adolescent students, HIV/AIDS is a disease caused by sexual practices and drug use and involves harm, pain and death. HIV/ AIDS prevention programs for adolescents should promote science based information on the topic and not concentrate only on the emotional and social consequences of HIV/AIDS.OBJETIVO: Compreender as dimensoes culturais do HIV/Aids por estudantes adolescentes. METODOS: Estudo antropologico cognitivo realizado em Cochabamba (Bolivia), Talca (Chile) e Guadalajara (Mexico), entre 2007 e 2008. O total de 184 jovens (de 14 e 19 anos de idade) foi selecionado por amostragem propositiva em centros de estudos de educacao media superior de cada pais. Foram utilizadas tecnicas de listas livres e classificacao da pilha. Foi feita a indagacao de termos associados ao conceito HIV/Aids e grupos de dimensoes conceituais. Posteriormente, fez-se analise de consenso mediante a fatorizacao dos componentes principais e analise dimensional mediante conglomerados hierarquicos e escalas multidimensionais. RESULTADOS: As diferencas entre os contextos foram no grau de consenso em relacao ao termo HIV/Aids, que foi maior em Cochabamba. Em Talca e Guadalajara os jovens mencionaram metaforas de luta diante da doenca, enquanto em Cochabamba eles referiram ajuda, apoio e amor que as pessoas infectadas deveriam receber. As coincidencias entre as conceitualizacoes dos jovens dos tres paises foram: os riscos (as praticas sexuais desprotegidas e o contato com alguns grupos populacionais especificos), as consequencias (morte fisica e social, entendida esta ultima como o rechaco da sociedade aos doentes) e a prevencao da doenca (com base na informacao e no uso do preservativo). CONCLUSIONES: Para os estudantes adolescentes, o HIV/Aids e uma doenca causada por praticas sexuais e uso de drogas que envolve dano, dor e morte. Os programas preventivos do HIV/Aids para os e as adolescentes devem promover a busca de informacao com bases cientificas sobre o tema, e nao so a que se centra nas consequencias emocionais e sociais da doenca.

Cultural conceptions of HIV/AIDS among teenagers in Bolivia, Chile and Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the cultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS among adolescent students. METHODS: A cognitive anthropological study was undertaken in Cochabamba (Bolivia), Talca (Chile) and Guadalajara (Mexico), during 2007 and 2008. A total of 184 teenagers (from 14 to 19 years old) were selected by purposeful sampling at secondary schools in each country. Free association lists and pile sorts were utilized. Terms associated with the concept of HIV/AIDS and groups of conceptual dimensions were investigated. Subsequently, consensus analysis was performed using factorial principal components and dimensional analysis through hierarchical clusters and multidimensional scales. RESULTS: The differences between the country contexts were in the degree of consensus in relation to the term HIV/AIDS, which was greater in Cochabamba. In Talca and Guadalajara the youths mentioned metaphors of fi ghting against HIV/AIDS, while in Cochabamba participants talked about help, support and love that infected people should receive. The similarities among conceptions by youth from the three countries were: the risk factors (unprotected sexual practice and contact with specifi c population groups), the consequences (physical and social death, being the latter understood as social rejection of people living with HIV/AIDS) and the prevention of illness (based on information and condom use). CONCLUSIONS: For adolescent students, HIV/AIDS is a disease caused by sexual practices and drug use and involves harm, pain and death. HIV/ AIDS prevention programs for adolescents should promote science based information on the topic and not concentrate only on the emotional and social consequences of HIV/AIDS.OBJETIVO: Compreender as dimensoes culturais do HIV/Aids por estudantes adolescentes. METODOS: Estudo antropologico cognitivo realizado em Cochabamba (Bolivia), Talca (Chile) e Guadalajara (Mexico), entre 2007 e 2008. O total de 184 jovens (de 14 e 19 anos de idade) foi selecionado por amostragem propositiva em centros de estudos de educacao media superior de cada pais. Foram utilizadas tecnicas de listas livres e classificacao da pilha. Foi feita a indagacao de termos associados ao conceito HIV/Aids e grupos de dimensoes conceituais. Posteriormente, fez-se analise de consenso mediante a fatorizacao dos componentes principais e analise dimensional mediante conglomerados hierarquicos e escalas multidimensionais. RESULTADOS: As diferencas entre os contextos foram no grau de consenso em relacao ao termo HIV/Aids, que foi maior em Cochabamba. Em Talca e Guadalajara os jovens mencionaram metaforas de luta diante da doenca, enquanto em Cochabamba eles referiram ajuda, apoio e amor que as pessoas infectadas deveriam receber. As coincidencias entre as conceitualizacoes dos jovens dos tres paises foram: os riscos (as praticas sexuais desprotegidas e o contato com alguns grupos populacionais especificos), as consequencias (morte fisica e social, entendida esta ultima como o rechaco da sociedade aos doentes) e a prevencao da doenca (com base na informacao e no uso do preservativo). CONCLUSIONES: Para os estudantes adolescentes, o HIV/Aids e uma doenca causada por praticas sexuais e uso de drogas que envolve dano, dor e morte. Os programas preventivos do HIV/Aids para os e as adolescentes devem promover a busca de informacao com bases cientificas sobre o tema, e nao so a que se centra nas consequencias emocionais e sociais da doenca.

Representaciones sociales de la salud mental y enfermedad mental de población adulta de Guadalajara, México Mental health and mental illness social representations of adult population from Guadalajara, Mexico

The objective of this study was to explore mental health (MH) and mental illness (MI) social representations (SR) in adult people of Guadalajara, Mexico population. Free listing and paired questionnaires were used to identify the content and the arrangement of these social representations. SR analysis showed that MI was identifying like a state of positive emotions and satisfactory feelings of quietness and stability, which carry out wellbeing and quality of life. On the contrary, mental illness was associated to madness caused by organic and mental damages; it is generally undergone biomedical and psychological treatment, with a low healing possibility.

Conceitos culturais sobre o HIV/Aids de adolescentes de Bolívia, Chile e México

OBJECTIVE: To understand the cultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS among adolescent students. METHODS: A cognitive anthropological study was undertaken in Cochabamba (Bolivia), Talca (Chile) and Guadalajara (Mexico), during 2007 and 2008. A total of 184 teenagers (from 14 to 19 years old) were selected by purposeful sampling at secondary schools in each country. Free association lists and pile sorts were utilized. Terms associated with the concept of HIV/AIDS and groups of conceptual dimensions were investigated. Subsequently, consensus analysis was performed using factorial principal components and dimensional analysis through hierarchical clusters and multidimensional scales. RESULTS: The differences between the country contexts were in the degree of consensus in relation to the term HIV/AIDS, which was greater in Cochabamba. In Talca and Guadalajara the youths mentioned metaphors of fi ghting against HIV/AIDS, while in Cochabamba participants talked about help, support and love that infected people should receive. The similarities among conceptions by youth from the three countries were: the risk factors (unprotected sexual practice and contact with specifi c population groups), the consequences (physical and social death, being the latter understood as social rejection of people living with HIV/AIDS) and the prevention of illness (based on information and condom use). CONCLUSIONS: For adolescent students, HIV/AIDS is a disease caused by sexual practices and drug use and involves harm, pain and death. HIV/ AIDS prevention programs for adolescents should promote science based information on the topic and not concentrate only on the emotional and social consequences of HIV/AIDS.OBJETIVO: Compreender as dimensoes culturais do HIV/Aids por estudantes adolescentes. METODOS: Estudo antropologico cognitivo realizado em Cochabamba (Bolivia), Talca (Chile) e Guadalajara (Mexico), entre 2007 e 2008. O total de 184 jovens (de 14 e 19 anos de idade) foi selecionado por amostragem propositiva em centros de estudos de educacao media superior de cada pais. Foram utilizadas tecnicas de listas livres e classificacao da pilha. Foi feita a indagacao de termos associados ao conceito HIV/Aids e grupos de dimensoes conceituais. Posteriormente, fez-se analise de consenso mediante a fatorizacao dos componentes principais e analise dimensional mediante conglomerados hierarquicos e escalas multidimensionais. RESULTADOS: As diferencas entre os contextos foram no grau de consenso em relacao ao termo HIV/Aids, que foi maior em Cochabamba. Em Talca e Guadalajara os jovens mencionaram metaforas de luta diante da doenca, enquanto em Cochabamba eles referiram ajuda, apoio e amor que as pessoas infectadas deveriam receber. As coincidencias entre as conceitualizacoes dos jovens dos tres paises foram: os riscos (as praticas sexuais desprotegidas e o contato com alguns grupos populacionais especificos), as consequencias (morte fisica e social, entendida esta ultima como o rechaco da sociedade aos doentes) e a prevencao da doenca (com base na informacao e no uso do preservativo). CONCLUSIONES: Para os estudantes adolescentes, o HIV/Aids e uma doenca causada por praticas sexuais e uso de drogas que envolve dano, dor e morte. Os programas preventivos do HIV/Aids para os e as adolescentes devem promover a busca de informacao com bases cientificas sobre o tema, e nao so a que se centra nas consequencias emocionais e sociais da doenca.