Abstract

OLIVI, Magali; SANTANA, Rosangela Getirana  and  MATHIAS, Thais Aidar de Freitas. Behavior, knowledge and perception of risks about sexually transmitted diseases in a group of people over 50 years old. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem [online]. 2008, vol.16, n.4, pp. 679-685. ISSN 0104-1169.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692008000400005.

The goal was to analyze the behavior, knowledge and risk perception about sexually transmitted diseases / AIDS (STD/AIDS) in people over 50 years old. 165 public servants at a State Secretary in Mato Grosso, Brazil were interviewed. The chi-square test and logistic regression tests were used for the analysis of risk perception and the behavior and knowledge variables about STD/AIDS. Most of the respondents were female (60.6%), 63.2 had a fixed partner, 72.4% had sexual relations in the past six months, and only 13.3% always wore condoms, with 21.5% being male and 8% female. Perception of risk was associated with non-use of condoms in their last sexual relation (p<0.001) and answering that anyone may acquire a STD/AIDS (p=0.039). The challenge of public policies is to increase actions, directing them to promote the health of the adult and elderly populations, especially regarding sexuality and vulnerability to STD/AIDS.

Keywords : condoms; knowledge; sexual behavior; aging; sexuality; sexually transmitted diseases [prevention & control]; nursing, team; population at risk.