Michael Voegtli Simone Horat University of Lausanne Changes in associational commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS field in Switzerland Michael Voegtli Simone Horat University of Lausanne

Background Socio-historical study: 1982-2005 What are the commitment motives of actors involved in the Swiss HIV/AIDS field? Who are the people involved in the HIV/AIDS field, that is, in the Swiss associations fighting against HIV/AIDS?

Methodology and sampling strategy 7 local groups of the Swiss AIDS Federation + 7 homosexual associations Self-administered questionnaire (n=837: 20.3% of the 4155 sent) Question “What led you to join up with the association?”

Methodology and sampling strategy (2) Lexicometral analysis of the answers: ALCESTE software: strongest vocabulary oppositions categories of representative terms classes or “lexical worlds”. Quantitative analysis of the socio-biological characteristics of committed people

Class 1(32.39% of the sample) Proximity to the disease and solidarity “I was looking for a job as advisor. Because AIDS is a motivating and interesting theme”. “As medical assistant working with senior citizens, I wanted to diversify my activity with another population, as a volunteer.” “I had time to devote, so I decided to do the PWA support training.”

Women and men in class 1

Socio-sexual orientation in class 1

Evolution of the socio-sexual orientation of people in class 1

Age classes among classes

Serological status of people in class 1

Class 6 (7.68% of the sample) “I’m a specialist of social security and I have been asked to lead a survey about social security and labour standards code for the ZAH customers.” “I have been asked to become a member of the comity.”

Education level among classes

Professional status More than 55% declare to work in medical or social sectors (class 1 = 42%) In class 1 and 6, occupational sectors Proximity to the disease Experience of suffering of others (medical assistant, social workers, etc.)

Class 4 (15.36% of the sample) “The desire to commit myself into an association which stands up for the rights of homosexuals and which fights discrimination.” “To stick by all what it is done for standing up homosexuals rights and to contribute to the fight against AIDS.”

Evolution of the membership cohorts during time

Conclusions Transformation of the rationale: from proximity to solidarity Increasing turnover since the introduction of HAART More generally, understand why people commit and disengage themselves