HIV/AIDS among the elderly: stigmas in healthcare work and training

Abstract

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.

Educational Intervention on Hiv/Aids With Elderly Individuals: A Quasi-Experimental Study

“…and "Can the AIDS virus be transmitted by a mosquito bite? ", a pre-test score of 78.33% (47) was verified and 43.33% (26) in the post-test, respectively; however, the correct answer corresponded to 100% (60) and 95% (57). The demystification of the mosquito as an HIV transmitter had a statistically significant p value (p=0.002).…”

“…24 To contain the progress of HIV/AIDS among these individuals, such public policies must take into account the new population profile of these elderly. 17,26 Given the severity of the disease and its rapid spread due to the increase in the number of infected elderly, it is considered necessary and with some urgency to build public policies that address this issue. 27 It is also identified the lack of preparation of health professionals to carry out education on sexuality and safe sex with this group, which is resistant to adherence to treatment and acceptance of seropositivity.…”

“…Considering the participants' sexual health behavior before and after the health education intervention, it was possible to observe that there were changes in the behavior of these individuals, since, in the pre-test, most of the elderly -71.67% (43) -did not made use of condoms as a preventive form; in the post-test, the number of elderly people who still did not use this preventive method decreased to 35% (21). Regarding the pre-test anti-HIV test, only 43.33% (26) of the elderly reported having performed it; After the educational intervention, the number of elderly people who underwent rapid testing in health facilities increased to 65% (39), thus evidencing a better understanding of the importance of this resource in care in relation to sexual health and the need safer sex practices to modify the sexual behavior of this population (Table 3).…”

Análise do atendimento nos serviços de saúde entre pessoas vivendo com HIV/AIDS

“…No entanto, o atual perfil da doença tem demonstrado que todos estão vulneráveis a contrair a doença, sendo indiferente ser do sexo masculino ou feminino 1,3 . A epidemia de HIV/AIDS vem sofrendo diversas modificações em seu perfil ao longo do tempo, entre as quais, os fenômenos de feminização, heterossexualização, pauperização e envelhecimento, ou seja, os padrões de vulneráveis ao vírus têm-se modificado, e não há mais a antiga estereotipação dos sujeitos vulneráveis 2,21,22 .…”

“…Acredita-se que ainda haja medo e falta de informação a respeito da doença, mesmo após vários investimentos e campanhas nesse sentido. Essas discussões objetivam compreender a importância desses elementos nos processos de saúde e adoecimento, como também na promoção da saúde 21 .…”