Percepções dos curandeiros sobre o HIV-Sida: um estudo de caso a partir do Distrito Municipal Nhlamankulu na Cidade de Maputo

Abstract

This research project aims to understand healers' perceptions about HIV-AIDS, the different causes, symptoms and what they consider to be the appropriate forms of treatment in the Nhlamankulu Municipal District (Maputo City). The project also made it possible to identify ways of interpreting HIV-AIDS through the practices and speeches of healers as health providers in their work sectors. The methodological approach of the present study was qualitative, and we used direct observation and semi-structured interviews as techniques. Research has shown that treatment is related to the causes of HIV-AIDS and the causes are influenced by ancestors. Symptoms are associated with various diseases in a systematic way, it is not clear whether it is due to various conditions. The treatment of HIV-AIDS is related to the causes. Although they do not mention anything, they speak “way”, but deep down they think that their ancestors interfere in the treatment. Healers associate HIV-AIDS with various conditions such as ancestors, herbs, bathing in the sea, the withdrawal of evil spirits, their speeches about causes, symptoms and treatment are also associated with the language of biomedicine. In the present study, it was not clear to what extent healers reported their perceptions and worldview or were limited to reproducing the dominant discourse on HIV-AIDS. Thus, both refer that HIV-AIDS can be caused by “unprotected sex” and emphasize that the treatment involves, for example, the invocation of ancestors. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)