Early HIV diagnosis: a discourse analysis of a campaign produced by the Ministério da Saúde

Résumé

This study analyzes an official HIV campaign, produced by Brazil’s Ministério da Saúde, which claims to encourage early HIV diagnosis and involves a real person living with the virus. The objective is to investigate whether or not the campaign contributes to encouraging early HIV diagnosis and how this (lack of) contribution occurs. The study was carried out using a qualitative research methodology and the data were discussed in light of the theoretical-analytical approach of Critical Discourse Analysis and the concept of necropolitics. The results demonstrate that the campaign does not contribute to encouraging early HIV diagnosis which involves comprehensive and subjective issues related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as it ignores psychosocial approaches that affect people who live with HIV. Furthermore, the hegemonic discourses identified in this study are commonly seen in necropolitical technology.