HIV attitudes, awareness and testing among older adults in Africa

AIDS Behav. 2012 Jan;16(1):63-8. doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-9994-y.

Abstract

In Africa, older adults aged 50 and older are still sexually active and play a critical role as caregivers, yet little is known about their attitudes towards HIV and awareness of services. In this study, surveys were conducted in nine African sites. A multilevel model was fitted to evaluate the relationship between age and outcome variables. The study reveals that people aged 50 years and older have lower levels of HIV-related knowledge and awareness than those aged 25-49. Older adults were less likely to have been tested for HIV and women aged 50 and older showed particularly low levels of awareness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Africa
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilevel Analysis
  • Prejudice
  • Rural Population
  • Sex Distribution