Preventing without stigmatizing : The complex stakes of information on AIDS

International audienceObjective : To evaluate the impact that the marking of the argumentative orientation and the temporal framing of the HIV can have on the intend to adopt preventive behavior and the attitude towards the fight against AIDS.Methods : We elaborated a text presented as an epidemiological information message about HIV/AIDS in which we varied the marking of the argumentative orientation (high marking versus low marking) and the framing of the HIV infection (yearly estimates versus daily estimates). Subjects where asked to read it carefully and to answer some questions about their preventive intentions and opinions as regards the fight against AIDS.Results : The high marking of the argumentative orientation and the daily estimates increase the subject's preventive intentions but also reinforce their support for a coercitive management of the epidemiological situation.Conclusion : These results are discussed within the framework of critical studies on mass media and studies discussing the links between experienced stigmata, stress and psychological distress. Some limitations of our study are also considered.Practice implications : This study can be useful for the designers of prevention campaigns aimed at the general public