Abstract
Social perception of an illness impacts people's ways of responding to the sick and to the illness itself. In particular, illnesses that are given to moral interpreta tions such as STDs and AIDS elicit more negative than positive responses. This paper seeks to understand how AIDS isperceived and interpreted within a cultural setting. Using the qualitative research approach, 18 focus group discussions were held with young and adult men and women in lower and lower middle income groups in Mumbai. Familiarity with AIDS was found to be high among the re spondents but discussions revealed several misconceptions and fears about it. In general, men had greater awareness and knowledge but more misconceptions as well compared to women. The findings reconfirm the several AIDS metaphors and symbols described in other cultural settings. These include the perception of AIDS as a dreaded, shameful, invited and "othered" disease; its strong associa tion with sex and sex workers; its fatal outcome and its androcentric focus. These perceptions are discussed in the context of local beliefs and norms ofgender rela tions. Implications of the findings for AIDS prevention and advocacy work are discussed.
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