A witch's curse, an imperialist conspiracy, a racist plot--HIV/AIDS is a catastrophic health crisis with complex cultural dimensions. From small villages to the international system, explanations of where it comes from, who gets it, and who dies are tied to political agendas, religious beliefs, and the psychology of devastating grief. Frequently these explanations conflict with science and clash with prevention and treatment programs. In Witches, Westerners, and HIV Alexander Rodlach draws on a decade of research and work in Zimbabwe to compare beliefs about witchcraft and conspiracy theories...

A witch's curse, an imperialist conspiracy, a racist plot--HIV/AIDS is a catastrophic health crisis with complex cultural dimensions. From small villages to the international system, explanations of where it comes from, who gets it, and who dies are tied to political agendas, religious beliefs, and the psychology of devastating grief. Frequently these explanations conflict with science and clash with prevention and treatment programs. In Witches, Westerners, and HIV Alexander Rodlach draws on a decade of research and work in Zimbabwe to compare beliefs about witchcraft and conspiracy theories...