This article describes the ways in which women in the coastal Papuan (Indonesian) town of Manokwari understand and represent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). Having employed focus group interviewing and other qualitative research methods during long-term fieldwork conducted in Manokwari, I argue that my subjects frame ideas about disease aetiology less in biomedical terms and more through a Christian worldview. AIDS is understood to be a fatal 'disease' (not disease syndrome) that is sent ultimately from God but that was recently brought to Papua by outsiders to the west. It is thought that people most likely to become afflicted with AIDS are those who breach Christian codes of conduct. In particular, women who sell sex, not homosexuals, not men who buy sex from women and not intravenous drug users, are attributed with having the greatest chance of suffering from and transmitting HIV. Even though Manokwari women discussed HIV and the aetiology of AIDS in moral terms, and even though they do not regard themselves as sinful, they nevertheless fear 'catching' AIDS, even though this is physically impossible. This fear motivates the scape-goating of female sex workers and the exhibition by community members of distancing behaviours toward people who display clinical symptoms of AIDS.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; seconds ; Human Females ; HIV ; Christian

Weber-Christian Disease (WCD), or relapsing febrile nodular panniculitis is a rare form of subcutaneous fat inflammation commonly affecting women aged 40-75 years old. It is rarer in children with only 1 previously reported case in the Philippines. It presents as erythematous nodules, frequently affecting the lower extremities. There is no standard treatment, but reportedly improves with steroid therapy, cyclosporine, and immunomodulators.

This is a case of a 12-year-old-female, who presented with a 4-month history of palpable facial nodules, thigh pains, and recurrent fever. Work-up for hypersensitivity reaction, autoimmune condition, hematologic problem, or infectious etiology yielded unremarkable findings, and corresponding management had no significant response. Patient developed firm lesions on the abdomen which was sent for biopsy and showed results consistent with WCD. Steroid, hydroxychloroquine, and topical indomethacin were then started and noted gradual improvement of the lesions. Patient was then discharged improved with lesions noted to progressively decrease in size and with no appearance of newer lesions upon follow-up.

WCD is a rare form of nodular panniculitis, more so in the younger age group. It is characterized by presence of cutaneous lesions associated with systemic symptoms. Skin biopsy is necessary to confirm its diagnosis. Visceral organ involvement and failure to respond to treatment may result to poor prognosis, and occasionally leads to death.

Human ; Female ; Child: 6-12 Yrs Old ; Weber–christian Disease ; Panniculitis, Nodular Nonsuppurative ; Panniculitis