Vulnerability to AIDS among the elderly in an urban center in central Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:As the world population ages with an improved quality of life and sexual longevity, the prevalence of AIDS is rising among the elderly. The purpose of this study was to estimate the vulnerability to AIDS among individuals attending senior community centers in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.METHOD:This descriptive, exploratory investigation included 329 subjects selected in a probabilistic manner. Individuals with scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination indicating cognitive impairment were excluded from the analyses. Barthel's and Lawton's functional assessment scales were applied. Interviews were conducted to evaluate the presence of cognitive and behavioral factors associated with HIV transmission.RESULTS:Most subjects were non-dependent, fell within the 60- to 69-year age bracket and were female. A majority of individuals reported having knowledge about AIDS and were aware that the elderly are vulnerable to the disease. More than a quarter (26.9%) of the sample reported previous HIV testing. No participants reported drug use, homosexual orientation, or alcohol abuse. A minority of participants reported using medication for erectile dysfunction. Casual and multiple partners accounted for 12% and 34% of reported intercourse experiences, respectively. Condom use was reported by 14% of respondents.CONCLUSION:Unprotected sex was the primary factor accounting for vulnerability to AIDS among the elderly.

HIV/AIDS in the Puerto Rican Elderly: Immunological Changes between Gender and Body Mass Index

“…Our cohort is predominantly composed of medical indigent patients, thus our study adds an additional dimension of vulnerability in the population studied which is most likely affected by disparities in health care delivery and access. 6,7,15 It is recognized that despite the elderly being the new at-risk group for HIV, little research is devoted to addressing the specific issues affecting diagnosis, prevention and treatment of AIDS in this specific cohort. 16,17 …”

“…5,15,21,28,30 Our studies introduce the additional variable of BMI as an element that may be synergistically detrimental in the natural history of HIV infection in this cohort of patients. 1,29,31 …”

Late diagnosis and vulnerabilities of the elderly living with HIV/AIDS

“…It is observed that what happens is fragmented care because many actions, such as the prevention of STD/AIDS, the approach to discuss sexuality, and the HIV serology request are not being performed (3,14,22) . However, the perception that health professionals have about elderly sexuality is directly reflected to the way they approach this subject with their patients.…”

Spatial dynamics of AIDS incidence in the elderly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1997-2011

“…Although not recognized as a risk group for STI, sexually active older people can be particularly vulnerable to these diseases because of behavioral aspects such as condom usage. Driemeier et al 5 , analyzing elderly vulnerability to STI in 2009, found that only 14% of respondents reported use of condoms.…”