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AIDS Culture

Over the past 30 to 40 years, the disease of AIDS has been intricately linked with cultural beliefs. These beliefs have often challenged those working to help people with AIDS to prevent the disease from spreading.

  1. History

    • In the early 1980s, AIDS was known incorrectly as the "gay" disease. This was due to HIV/AIDS first being diagnosed in gay men in urban areas. This link between gay culture and AIDS led to discrimination against gay people, as well as false information about how the disease could be spread.

    Considerations

    • Culture also plays a role in how AIDS is viewed in Africa. Cultural beliefs, including those that believe women do not have the right to demand contraceptive use, as well as religious beliefs that frown on the use of condoms, increase the spread of the disease.

    Prevention

    • Organizations such as the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) express the need for understanding culture for prevention of the spread of AIDS. For instance, when designing educational programs UNESCO uses a curriculum that addresses specific cultural beliefs in order to increase understanding as to the best way to prevent the spread of AIDS.

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