title: Socio-demographic profile of older adults with HIV/AIDS: gender and sexual orientation differences.
abstract: Using data collected by the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study, the primary goal of this study was to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of a sample of older people (age 50 and over) from Ontario (n = 1,129) living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). The secondary goal was to compare four sub-samples of older PHAs: women (10.6%), heterosexual men (16.7%), gay men (65.8%), and bisexual men (6.9%). These groups differed significantly by age, education, income, nationality, race, and time spent living with HIV. Compared to other groups, gay and bisexual men (GBM) reported lower HIV stigma, disclosure stigma, negative self-image stigma, and concern with public attitude stigma. GBM also reported higher mental health quality of life, lower depression scores, and lower maladaptive coping scores. These findings suggest that services for older PHAs, including training for HIV and gerontological providers, may need to cater to the specific needs of these sub-populations.
authors.affiliation: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, ON, Canada. david.brennan@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Emlet
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brennenstuhl
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rueda
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support