A sample of seven subjects belonging to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) of Ribeirão Preto was interviewed using semi-structured procedures to determine the cognitions associated with four content categories related to AIDS: the disease in itself, treatment, patient, and prevention. Content Analysis of the interviews was processed using evaluations made by 10 university judges on the basis of procedures of relative entropy (Hr) calculations, using as criterion scores equal to or less than the 33rd percentile of the Hr distributions and determining the reliability of judgment for each category (Zk>3.39; p<.05). Beliefs with a strong teleological connotation were identified (Hr<.29) related to death, shame within the family and people silence for the disease category. With respect to the patient, representations linked to the stigma, loss of citizenship and responsibility for his own condition were detected (Hr<.35). Confirming literature data, the vision of treatment and prevention is based on highly socialized beliefs (Hr<.39) involving participation of the family and the attribution of strong stigmas on the part of the specialists providing care to the patient.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Non-Governmental Organizations; Public Health; Cognitions
