Older Adults Vastly Overestimate Both HIV Acquisition Risk and HIV Prevalence in Rural South Africa

Empel, Eva van; Vlieg, Rebecca A de; Montana, Livia; Gómez‐Olivé, Francesc Xavier; Kahn, Kathleen; Tollman, Stephen; Berkman, Lisa F.; Bärnighausen, Till; Manne‐Goehler, Jennifer

doi:10.1007/s10508-021-01982-1

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This increases the possibility of polygyny, continued HIV transmission, and late HIV detection due to a low perceived risk of transmission [ 2 ]. Similarly, older people may overestimate their risk but not seek testing services due to embarrassment, adding to their stress [ 42 – 44 ]. In the absence of health programs to address concerns about changes in sexual function, churches and traditional teaching mechanisms in Zambia may prove valuable in holding what are locally called “conferences” on physical, sexual, financial and spiritual wellbeing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Social Construction of Aging Among a Clinic-Based Population and Their Healthcare Workers in Zambia

Sharma,

Mwamba,

St Clair-Sullivan

et al. 2024

Int J Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives:We sought to understand the social construction of aging in a clinic-based population, with and without HIV, to address gaps in care for older individuals living with HIV in Zambia.Methods:Our exploratory qualitative study included 36 in-depth interviews with clinic clients and four focus group discussions with 36 professional and lay healthcare workers providing services to the clients. We identified themes based on social construction theory.Results:At the individual level, aging was multidimensional, perceived both as an achievement in the HIV era and as a period of cognitive, physical, and economic decline. In social interactions, older individuals were often stereotyped and treated as helpless, poor, and “witches.” Those living with HIV faced the additional stigma of being labeled as promiscuous. Some of the participants living without HIV refused to take daily medication for non-communicable diseases to avoid being mistaken for taking antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Older individuals wanted quality healthcare and family support to address the intersectional stigma of aging, poverty, and chronic illness.Conclusion:Multifaceted interventions are required to combat age-related prejudice, intersectional stigma, and discriminatory practices, particularly for people living with HIV.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Social Construction of Aging Among a Clinic-Based Population and Their Healthcare Workers in Zambia

Sharma,

Mwamba,

St Clair-Sullivan

et al. 2024

Int J Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The younger among the older population, with more education years, who have been or are in a marital relationship, were found to be more aware of their HIV-positive status, possibly due to lower risk perception by the older population, as well as the fact that most awareness and educational campaigns tend to focus more on the younger population. [49][50][51] The younger population seems to have a higher perception of risk than the older population. Nyirenda et al 50 found that only 9.4% of adults aged 50 years and over had a 'highrisk' HIV perception in a study comprising both rural and urban participants in South Africa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa

Ohene-Kwofie,

Riumallo-Herl,

Kabudula

et al. 2024

bmjph

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe prevalence of chronic diseases is high among the older population. Awareness of these conditions is a crucial prerequisite to initiate treatment, control and prevent further complications. This study evaluates sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic diseases among people 40 years and over in rural South Africa.MethodsData from the baseline survey of the Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa were analysed to estimate the level of awareness of chronic conditions such as HIV, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia among the population 40+ years. We compare self-reported awareness with objective measurements and conduct logistic regressions to evaluate sociodemographic determinants of awareness of chronic conditions.ResultsWe find that 80% of individuals have at least one chronic condition—HIV, diabetes, hypertension and/or dyslipidaemia. Awareness rates were relatively high among those with at least one chronic condition but varied across conditions and genders: HIV (83% for women, 84% for men), hypertension (88% of women, 81% of men); diabetes (76% for women, 75% for men); dyslipidaemia (10% for both women and men). We observe differences across individual, household and community factors. Generally, women are more aware of their condition; awareness increases with age except for HIV; persons from high consumption per capita households, living with one or more persons and living closer to a health facility are more likely to be aware of their conditions.ConclusionsOlder adults in rural South Africa are generally aware of their chronic conditions, though there are important differences by age, gender and socioeconomic status. However, there is still a fraction unaware of their conditions and, therefore, lacking the necessary information to initiate treatment and implement behavioural changes to control them. Our findings may guide policy-makers directing the required efforts to promote targeted awareness campaigns by sociodemographic/socioeconomic subgroups.

show abstract

“It doesn’t exist, only other people have it, or it’s bad luck”: perceptions of HIV as barriers to its prevention in Bata

Rodríguez-Reinado,

Blasco-Hernández,

Abeso

et al. 2023

BMC Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Currently, Africa is the region of the world where the highest number of new cases of HIV infection are registered. In 2022, Equatorial Guinea was the Central African country with the highest HIV prevalence (6.9%) and incidence (3.80 per 1,000 amongst the population of all ages). The main objective of this study was to determine the perceptions of HIV and the meanings given to it among the population of Equatorial Guinea in order to assess to what extent they represent a barrier to the prevention strategies implemented hitherto. Methods A total of 30 semi-structured interviews and nine focal groups were carried out. Findings The interviewees’ testimonies revealed a combination of differing perceptions and meanings around HIV. In some cases, HIV was perceived as “a non-existent illness”, and in others as “a disease of others”, or as “a disease of bad luck”. Other majority perceptions of HIV classed it as “a deadly disease” or “a sexual illness”. Conclusions All these perceptions of HIV and the social representations constructed around it can represent a barrier to adopting preventive practices. Hence, in order to improve efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness, it is recommended that HIV prevention policies take into account the heterogeneity of meanings linked to the different social groups that have contracted the virus.

show abstract

Older Adults Vastly Overestimate Both HIV Acquisition Risk and HIV Prevalence in Rural South Africa

Cited by 4 publications

References 40 publications

The Social Construction of Aging Among a Clinic-Based Population and Their Healthcare Workers in Zambia

The Social Construction of Aging Among a Clinic-Based Population and Their Healthcare Workers in Zambia

Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa

“It doesn’t exist, only other people have it, or it’s bad luck”: perceptions of HIV as barriers to its prevention in Bata

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About