Open-access Knowledge about the human immunodeficiency syndrome among elders in a unit for the care of the elderly

ABSTRACT

Objective  To analyze the knowledge of elders regarding HIV/AIDS.

Methods  Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study, with 457 elders from the Unit for the Care of Elders in Uberaba – Minas Gerais, lasting 3 months. The instruments used were the Mental State Mini-exam and a questionnaire on the human immunodeficiency virus for elders, together with frequency measures for their analysis.

Results  Most participants were female (74%), between 60 and 69 y/o (51%). The question with the most correct answers was about syringe/needle transmission (96.2%) and the ones with the least (45.3% and 49.6%, respectively) were regarding AIDS transmission through mosquito bites and whether a person with the human immunodeficiency virus always presents symptoms (49.6%). 88.2% of participants never use condoms.

Conclusion  The general level of knowledge can be considered good, responding to our goal. However, gaps in knowledge were identified due to the lack of campaigns aimed exclusively at such public, as well as to the lack of awareness of professionals.

HIV; Aged; Health vulnerability; Nursing

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Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Escola de Enfermagem Rua São Manoel, 963 -Campus da Saúde , 90.620-110 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brasil, Fone: (55 51) 3308-5242 / Fax: (55 51) 3308-5436 - Porto Alegre - RS - Brazil
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