“Eu sempre sou forte”...: uma análise das implicações das relações patriarcais de gênero na saúde do homem ante a epidemia de HIV/AIDS no Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

The objective of this master’s thesis in Social Service is to analyze the feedback of the genre patriarchal relations in the males’ vulnerability in view of the HIV/AIDS epidemy, identifying the ideological and behavioral factors about what means to be a male in our society, and considering it is possible that those relations increase the above-mentioned vulnerability, so that it may add to the amount of HIV/AIDS case among the masculine population. Based on these generalized premises, the work discusses the emerging and persistent vulnerability cross-overs while articulates them to the socio-cultural construction of the genre patriarchal relations.in addition, it tells men’s experiences and perceptions as what concerns the assistance provided in the health services and, finally, points to barriers blocking the road to establish and effectuate a Male’s Health National Policy in the national health services in Brazil, and, in particular, in Rio Grande do Norte State. This study was discovered necessary during the experience of eight years’ work as social assistant attending HIV/AIDS patients and their familiars at the Dr. Giselda Trigueiro Hospital, in Natal/RN, and a reference in the treatment of infectious diseases as HIV/AIDS in Rio Grande do Norte State. The research was anchored on bibliographical survey, documental analysis and recollection of empirical data. The documental analysis and the field empirical survey were carried out in the above-mentioned hospital unit. The documental analysis took in account the information registered in the medical and social HIV/AIDS patients’ records and the empirical research involved male patients undergoing health care in the infectiology ward by applying a semi-structured interview. The results of the research indicate that the masculine prevailing model n the macho-patriarchal-capitalist society impacts negatively in men’s health, forcing them to react with attitudes that put them in situations of vulnerability. In consequence, their behavior is strongly influenced by cultural trends of genre patriarchal relations. Regarding HIV/AIDS, the attitude of affirming the male’s virility impacts directly in the amount of disease cases specially among young men and men who make love with men (HSH). The research also alerts that when men try to follow this model, that is, to play the “strong and courageous” role, it frequently reflects negatively in their lives, taking them to neglect medical care, and when they look for it, they are already seriously ill. As what concerns the men’s perception about the health services, we consider that the patients experience a certain process of ignoring the way these services work and their rights as patients.