THE OBJECTIVE: of this study is to identify the knowledge about the infection by the HIV/AIDS, at the participants of the Centro de Convivência do Idoso (CCI), an elderly living center in Anápolis, Goiás. METHOD: 224 elderly participants of the CCI were interviewed, which was collected data, such as sociodemographic, behavioral and data referring to the HIV ways of transmission. RESULTS: Female was predominant, with a low education, low family income and white color skin. Almost half of the elderly reported to be sexuality active. From these, the majority do not use condoms (67%). Although most of them have some knowledge about the ways of transmission, they still believe that a mosquito bite (79.9%), sharing towels and soap (62.1%), cutlery, cups and dishes (62.3%) can transmit the virus. CONCLUSION: it was found that despite the pretty good level of knowledge demonstrated by the participants, there are still doubts about the ways of transmission, demonstrating the necessity of public investment in education that results in knowledge increase and risk reduction. and risk reduction.
Aged; HIV/AIDS; knowledge
