[Biomedicalization and responses to aids in Brazil: research notes]

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Medical Anthropology
• Science and Technology Studies

Background:

• The study examines the biomedicalization of responses to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• It considers socio-anthropological perspectives and social studies of science.
• Field research was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, supplemented by document and literature reviews.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the process of biomedicalization in HIV/AIDS responses.
• To understand the implications of predominantly biomedical prevention strategies.
• To highlight the impact on scientific and institutional orders, health, and sexuality.

Main Methods:

• Socio-anthropological analysis.
• Social studies of science framework.
• Qualitative data collection through field research in Rio de Janeiro.
• Document and literature review.

Main Results:

• Predominant preventative biomedical strategies reconfigure scientific and institutional orders.
• Interventions focus on health and sexuality, defining the epidemic as a clinical problem.
• Debates on sexuality and stigma are reconfigured, while structural inequalities and human rights discussions are marginalized.

Conclusions:

• The biomedicalization of HIV/AIDS responses shifts focus from structural issues to clinical management.
• There is a need for renewed social sciences and humanities research on HIV/AIDS.
• Further studies should address the erasure of human rights and structural inequalities in current approaches.