title: HIV Transmission: Myths about Casual Contact and Fear about Medical Procedures Persist Among Older Adults.
abstract: HIV infection among older adults is increasing. Previous research suggests that many older adults do not see themselves as at risk for HIV and that many subscribe to myths related to HIV transmission. In this focus group study (N = 48) we solicited the beliefs that older adults held about HIV. The older adults in this study were knowledgeable about how HIV is typically transmitted. However, we also identified that they subscribed to misconceptions regarding casual contact transmission and were fearful of transmission from the medical system. Educational efforts aimed at older adults must be tailored to address these persistent misconceptions.
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work, Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan , USA.
authors.forename: Anne K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.affiliation: b Department of Sociology and Social Work , Calvin College , Grand Rapids , Michigan , USA.
authors.forename: Kristen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Alford
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014342:Truth Disclosure
keywords: HIV knowledge; HIV transmission; fear of transmission; medical procedures; older adults