An Approach to Community Outreach Practice in the 21st Century

ABSTRACT

This article presents the findings of a study about knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about AIDS held by older Hispanic adults. Members of the convenience sample provided responses that identify concerns about effective practice in outeach and information provision to older adults with regard to risky sexual practices. Intervention to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among older adults needs to be culturally competent and to be attuned to social practices, traditions, community concerns, and generational perspectives with regard to serious health problems related to sexual behavior. The sample composition was primarily Hispanic (97.4%); Catholic, (92.1%) and female (84.2%) with a mean age of 73.7 years. Approximately 28.2% of those surveyed stated that they felt that AIDS was an important problem for older adults. The majority, (76.3%) were aware of locations where health information and services were available if AIDS were a problem. Even though the majority indicated knowledge that AIDS is spread through sexual intercourse, more than one third, (36.8%) thought that sexually active adults 55 and over never use condoms. A discussion of the implications for disease prevention programs and community practice is presented emphasizing the importance of empowerment strategies in health promotion programs and the strengthening of multidisciplinary collaborative efforts to effect positive community health changes.

Key Words:

• Aging
• Hispanic
• HIV/AIDS
• attitudes/healthcare