Sexual Behavior of Older Adults Living with HIV in Uganda.
Sexual behavior among older adults with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa has been understudied despite the burgeoning of this population. We examined sexual behavior among older adults living with HIV in Uganda. Participants were eligible for the study if they were 50 years of age or older and living with HIV. Quantitative data were collected through face-to-face interviews, including demographic characteristics, health, sexual behavior and function, and mental health. Of respondents, 42 were men and 59 women. More than one-quarter of these HIV-positive older adults were sexually active. A greater proportion of older HIV-positive men reported being sexually active compared to women (54 vs. 15%). Among those who are sexually active, a majority never use condoms. Sixty-one percent of men regarded sex as at least somewhat important (42%), while few women shared this opinion (20%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that odds of sexual activity in the past year were significantly increased by the availability of a partner (married/cohabitating), better physical functioning, and male gender. As more adults live longer with HIV, it is critical to understand their sexual behavior and related psychosocial variables in order to improve prevention efforts.
Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building (A27), Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. joel.negin@sydney.edu.au.
Joel
J
Negin
Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Edward Ford Building (A27), Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.|MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda.
Louise
L
Geddes
ACRIA, New York, NY, USA.|New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA.
Mark
M
Brennan-Ing
MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda.
Monica
M
Kuteesa
ACRIA, New York, NY, USA.|New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY, USA.
Stephen
S
Karpiak
MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS, Entebbe, Uganda.
Janet
J
Seeley
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012938:Social Perception; D014454:Uganda
HIV; Older adults; Sexual behavior; Uganda