title: Behavior, knowledge and perception of risks about sexually transmitted diseases in a group of people over 50 years old.
abstract: The goal was to analyze the behavior, knowledge and risk perception about sexually transmitted diseases / AIDS (STD/AIDS) in people over 50 years old. 165 public servants at a State Secretary in Mato Grosso, Brazil were interviewed. The chi-square test and logistic regression tests were used for the analysis of risk perception and the behavior and knowledge variables about STD/AIDS. Most of the respondents were female (60.6%), 63.2 had a fixed partner, 72.4% had sexual relations in the past six months, and only 13.3% always wore condoms, with 21.5% being male and 8% female. Perception of risk was associated with non-use of condoms in their last sexual relation (p<0.001) and answering that anyone may acquire a STD/AIDS (p=0.039). The challenge of public policies is to increase actions, directing them to promote the health of the adult and elderly populations, especially regarding sexuality and vulnerability to STD/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: University of Cuiabá, Brazil. magaliolivi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olivi
authors.forename: Rosangela Getirana
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Thais Aidar de Freitas
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mathias
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission