Older people's knowledge often a living centers of the third age about HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of elderly participants in the Living Center for Senior Citizens on HIV / AIDS. Method: An exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach, conducted through interviews with 17 elderly participants in the Living Center for Senior Citizens in Teresina-PI. The data analysis allowed us to establish three categories: knowledge of elderly HIV / AIDS; methods used by the elderly in the prevention of HIV / AIDS and health education in the prevention of HIV / AIDS. Results: The elderly hold little knowledge about HIV / AIDS, with an emphasis on prevention, transmission and susceptibility of contracting HIV at any stage of life. Few subjects reported on the use of an adequate method of prevention. Conclusion: We emphasize the importance of Health Education as a strategy to improve the knowledge of the elderly population about important aspects of HIV / AIDS, mainly with regard to the myths related to the mode of transmission.