This paper was presented at the EUPHA 2012 2nd Preconference, “Integrating the Patient’sPerspective,” held on 07 November, 2012 in St. Julian’s, Malta. Research conducted in Kabarole District,western Uganda, using a Social Representations theoretical approach sought to examine how differingconceptualizations of health and illness between health care service providers and health care-using members ofthe public may influence children’s access to HIV/AIDS and health services in the community. Communitybasedqualitative research was conducted to elicit the representations about health care, HIV/AIDS, and childrenas held by these stakeholder groups, which were then compared and critiqued by the researcher to evaluatecontent and determine possible influence on health-seeking behaviours. Results indicated that, although there areshared social representations which encourage and affirm health-seeking behaviours as important and usefulwithin the community, there are also divergent negative representations reinforced by existing social norms,which may inhibit healthy behaviours and health service usage, particularly concerning children and HIV/AIDS.
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