The number of HIV/AIDs diagnoses among the elderly is currently increasing both in Brazil and on a global level. The present article describes the results of a qualitative study which aimed to assess the role of health professionals on elderly patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS receiving treatment via the public health service. Nine professionals who made up a specialized HIV/AIDS service in a medium-sized city in the state of Minas Gerais were interviewed. Their statements were subjected to content analysis, and the results suggested that according to the perceptions of the health professionals, the main impacts of the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS are linked to isolation, loneliness, prejudice, fear of revealing the diagnosis and the decrease or interruption of sexual practices. The professionals reported being overburdened both psychologically and in terms of workload, having difficulty addressing aspects of sexuality and sexual practices with the elderly, and admitted to possessing certain stereotypes and prejudices related to HIV/AIDS and the sexuality of the elderly. Through results analysis, it was concluded that the stigma and prejudice related to HIV and the sexuality of the elderly are intimately present in the work processes of the professionals interviewed, impacting on the treatment of such individuals and interfering with their health and illness processes. The discussion of these aspects should be included in health training strategies.

The current increase in the number of elderly people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) represents a major challenge to healthcare professionals, public policies and the general population, in terms of the need to discuss the role of sexuality and sexual practices in the aging process and the impact of these issues on health promotion for the elderly. The aim of the present study was to identify the psychosocial impact of HIV/Aids diagnosis on elderly persons receiving care in a public healthcare service, based on the perception of the individuals themselves. A qualitative research study of an exploratory nature was performed, based on individual semi-structured interviews with HIV-positive elderly patients, living in the mid-west macro-region of Minas Gerais. Analysis of the results suggested that, according to the 14 patients interviewed, HIV diagnosis involves changes in the way they relate to people; in selfcare; in sexual practices; in the performance of daily activities and in the possibility of continuing to participate in social groups. The patients reported embarrassment, fear of rejection and discrimination, and experiences of isolation and facing prejudice. Based on the results, it can be concluded that most of the problems faced by older people are linked to socially constructed stigmas and stereotypes associated with the disease and the efforts made by such individuals to keep the diagnosis a secret.

Education in health and university extension: discussing sexuality and STD/HIV prevention

This study aims to perform the first molecular and clinical-epidemiological analysis of dengue cases in Divinopolis, MG, Brazil. Data from 4,110 cases of dengue were accessed and 190 clinical samples were collected for molecular analyses. In this study, 2.7% of the men and 3.0% of the women were admitted to hospital. There was no association between gender and hospital admission. The symptoms observed in this study are according to the Health Ministry, but fever was present in 82.2% and not in 100% of cases. The chance of hospital admission was 1.55 higher in patients with any kind of bleeding (334) and 2.4% of individuals without bleeding were also hospitalized due to other warning signs. In the molecular analyses, 23% of the samples were positive for DENV. DENV-2 and DENV-3 were identified in 2010, DENV-3 in 2011, DENV-1 in 2012, and DENV-1 and DENV-4 in 2013. DENV detection was possible in samples with only one day of symptoms. This first report of dengue data in Divinópolis provided more insight into the viral types and effects of disease in the city, confirming the need for caution in assessing cases of suspected dengue and for revision of the criteria proposed by the Health Ministry to classify cases of the disease.