title: [Preventive practices in the elderly and vulnerability to HIV].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To know the vulnerability of the elderly to the HIV infection in the context of preventive practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  Exploratory qualitative study, lead from December 2012 to May 2013, with 37 nursing Coexistence Groups in João Pessoa--Paraiba. The Focus Group was elected as the research technique, and the empirical material obtained was subjected to a Content Analysis Technique, thematic modality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The elderly recognize the importance of preventive practices, but they face difficulties in its use when their emotional relationships with their partners do not favor preventive behavior, resulting in vulnerability. The elderly showed the population groups most vulnerable to HIV and do not recognize themselves as such.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The complexity of the various contexts experienced by the elderlies of this study indicate the need for more research that allows advances in the understanding of subjectivity imposed in relations that underlie the aging process and the experience of sexuality in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Valéria Peixoto
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Angélica Pinheiro
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Ijaly Patrícia Pinheiro
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Maria Adelaide Silva Paredes
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Sandra Aparecida
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil.
authors.forename: Anna Cláudia Freire
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Araujo Patrício
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D035862:Vulnerable Populations