Corbie-Smith GM, St. George DM, Bernstein L, Henderson S, Doyle JP; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. C10748.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS education messages have overlooked the growing population of older adults. Since little is known about the HIV/AIDS risk behaviors of older women, this study sought to evaluate safer sex practices among a sample of older women. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews with women aged 50 and older. RESULTS: 238 older women (mean=61.9 years; range 50-95 years old s.d.=7.9) completed the survey. Most of the sample was African American (77%), currently/ previously married (89%), did not have a HS degree (55%), on disability or retired (72%), and heterosexual (98%). Most women (76.5%) reported that they had changed their behavior as a result of AIDS. Women who were in relationships at the time of the study (31%) were asked about their current sexual practices. One in four reported safer sex practices: 19% abstained from sexual intercourse and an additional 6% reported mutual monogamy with frequent condom usage. 3% of sexually active women reported risky practices: they were not monogamous and did not use condoms or only used them occasionally. The remaining 78% were classified in "less-risky" categories: mutually monogamous with occasional condom usage (16%), mutually monogamous without condom usage (55%), and non-monogamous with frequent condom usage (1%). Mutual monogamy without consistent condom usage was not considered as risk-free since there was no validation of the monogamy or HIV status of the partners. Indeed, when asked if they believed that their partner would tell them if he had HIV/AIDS, one in three women (36%) were said no or were unsure . CONCLUSION: While older, urban women report changed behavior as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, they may still be placing themselves at risk of acquiring the virus as a result of their sexual practices. HIV/AIDS education efforts must address the unique needs of this population in promoting safer sex practices among those who are sexually active.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adult
• African Americans
• Condoms
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Education
• Humans
• Safe Sex

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0012827

UI: 102250325

From Meeting Abstracts