Factors associated with the vulnerability of older people living with HIV/AIDS in Belo Horizonte (MG), Brazil.
The objective of this article was to identify the factors associated with the vulnerability of the elderly aged 60 years or older to HIV/AIDS, based on the perspective of older people living with the virus. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants, including 12 women and eight men, who were patients from a public hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The elderly interviewed had a low education level and low income, were currently or previously in a marital union, had perceptions and behaviors grounded in structural gender relations with power asymmetry and had a low capacity to respond to vulnerability. Most of the elderly interviewed were sexually active, but few reported protecting themselves by using condoms, and the lack of information reached all levels of vulnerability studied. The picture revealed by this article is worrying, underscoring the need to demystify the sexual invisibility of the elderly, ensuring them their right to a healthy and continuous sexual life.
Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros. Av. Dr. Ruy Braga S/N, Vila Mauriceia. 39401089 Montes Claros MG Brasil. mariliaborboremamoc@gmail.com.
Marília Borborema Rodrigues
MB
Cerqueira
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Belo Horizonte MG Brasil.
Roberto Nascimento
RN
Rodrigues
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*