Implications for HIV/AIDS Research and Education among Ethnic Minority Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Adults over 50 years of age constitute 11% of new AIDS cases reported (CDC, 2007). In addition to consistent rates of infection among older adults, there is a disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on ethnic minority older adults. Despite the steady rise and projections of increase, there is still a paucity of education and prevention programs targeting this population. This article addresses these demographic trends by reporting on findings about HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes toward sexuality, risk behaviors, and participation in HIV/AIDS education programs from an ethnically diverse sample of adults 50 years and older. Design and Methods: A purposive sample (N = 249) of ethnically and economically diverse adults 50 years and older were selected from 14 organizations in rural and urban settings in California. They were surveyed to determine their HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes toward sexuality, high-risk behaviors, and interest in participating in HIV/AIDS education prevention programs. Results: (a) ethnic minority group participants had lower levels of knowledge; (b) over 50% of the sample believed that they do not have to be concerned about HIV/AIDS infection; and (c) participants who self-identified as Hispanic were overrepresented in the group that is likely or very likely to attend HIV/AIDS education programs. Implications: Older adults of color 50 years and older are sexually active, lack accurate information about HIV/AIDS and are in need of HIV/AIDS education. Methodological issues and recommendations are made concerning ethnically diverse older adults and HIV/AIDS.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS and ethnicity
• HIV/AIDS research and education
• older adults

This research was supported by a grant from the University of California University-wide AIDS Research Program (Award No. K97-CSST-121).

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joanne Altschuler

Joanne Altschuler, PhD, LCSW, is Professor at the School of Social Work, California State University, Los Angeles, CA.

Anne D. Katz

Anne D. Katz, PhD, LCSW, is Associate Professor of Clinical Gerontology, at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Margaret A. Tynan

Margaret A. Tynan, PhD, MSW is Chair, Department of Social Work, California State University, Turlock, CA.