Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:29:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 juliana_monteiro_costa.pdf: 1047734 bytes, checksum: a0044f49f967088f428e10384b5ed817 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-26 / Although aging is a biological reality, the meanings attributed to it are social and historical constructions. The increase in cases of HIV/Aids among people over sixty years has been reported by researchers because the data show an increase in cases proportion of HIV/Aids among older adults compared with other age groups. Among the reason for this increase is the misinformation of this public regarding the self-care, greater avaliability of drugs for erectile dysfunction, low use of condoms in this generation and delayed diagnosis. The objective of this study was to understand the meaning and implications of the biopsychosocial experience of living with HIV/Aids for the elderly in the city of Recife. Participated in nine elders (four females and five males), an age comprised between 60 and 76 years, living in Recife who were in treatment and/or monitoring the SAE (Service Specializing in Assisting HIV/Aids) of Polyclinic Lessa de Andrade. The survey was conducted in a semi-directed, organized from a script previously drafted, which were recorded and transcribed. The most significant results showed: the impact of the diagnosis of HIV/Aids accompanied by feelings of anger, guilt, embarrassment, fear, prejudice and abandonment by family, friends and neighbors that are part of everyday life of the elderly; an ontological dimension of sexuality, breaking the stereotype of old age marked by assexuality, gathering and passivity, the constructions of gender and social representation of Aids associated as the disease of the older as determining factors for the perceived invulnerability to HIV/Aids among people in this age group; spirituality as support, something that came to appease the pain and suffering in the face of positive sorology for HIV; compromised physical health of the elderly due to the gradual and progressive destruction of the body's defense cells associated with old age; lack of preparation on the part of the healthcare team to deal with HIV / AIDS in this age group, resulting in late diagnosis. This work had therefore the aim of contributing to illiminate the field knowledge and practices whose horizon of ethical concerns and policies to reduce vulnerability of the elderly to HIV/Aids. / Embora a velhice seja uma realidade biológica, os significados que lhe são atribuídos são construções sociais e históricas. O aumento de casos de HIV/Aids entre pessoas acima de 60 anos tem sido reportado por pesquisadores, pois os dados mostram o crescimento de casos proporcionais de HIV/Aids entre idosos comparado com outras faixas de idade. Entre as razões para essa progressão está a desinformação desse público no que se refere ao autocuidado, a maior oferta de fármacos contra disfunção erétil, o baixo uso de preservativos nessa geração e o atraso no diagnóstico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi compreender as repercussões biopsicossociais de conviver com HIV/Aids para idosos na cidade do Recife. Participaram nove idosos (quatro do sexo feminino e cinco do sexo masculino), na faixa etária compreendida entre 60 e 76 anos, residentes na cidade do Recife, que estavam em tratamento e/ou acompanhamento no SAE (Serviço de Assistência Especializada em HIV/Aids) da Policlínica Lessa de Andrade. Foi realizada uma entrevista conduzida de forma semidirigida e organizada a partir de um roteiro previamente estabelecido, que foi gravada e transcrita. As informações colhidas foram analisadas com base na Técnica de Análise de Conteúdo Temática. Os resultados mais expressivos apontaram: o impacto do diagnóstico de HIV/Aids no paciente, acompanhado de sentimentos de tristeza, revolta, culpa, desespero, aprisionamento e medo; preconceito e abandono por parte de alguns familiares, amigos e vizinhos que fazem parte do cotidiano desses idosos; uma dimensão ontológica da sexualidade, rompendo com o estereótipo da velhice marcada pela assexualidade, recolhimento e passividade; as construções de gênero e a representação social da Aids associadas como a doença do outro como fatores determinantes para a percepção da invulnerabilidade ao HIV/Aids entre pessoas desse grupo etário; a espiritualidade como sustentação, dimensão que serve para apaziguar a dor e o sofrimento diante da sorologia positiva para o HIV; saúde física dos idosos comprometida em virtude da destruição progressiva e gradativa das células de defesa do organismo associada às doenças inerentes à velhice; o despreparo por parte da equipe de saúde para lidar com o HIV/Aids nessa faixa etária, ocasionando o diagnóstico tardio. Este trabalho teve, portanto, o intuito de contribuir para iluminar o campo de saberes e práticas que têm como horizonte de preocupações éticas e políticas a diminuição da vulnerabilidade dos idosos ao HIV/Aids.

AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of deaths in South Africa. Alcohol misuse among male youths fuels the risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Literature review was conducted on the association of alcohol misuse and the risk of contracting HIV among male youths. In this qualitative study fourteen male youths, all from Soshanguve in Gauteng province, participated in face-to-face interviews. The male youths who misuse alcohol show greater signs of indulging in risky sexual intercourse. In addition, the male youths who find their sexual partners at taverns were less likely to use condoms during sex. Other factors linked to alcohol misuse that hinder HIV-prevention include multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, men who have sex with men (MSM), young men’s dominance over young women and non-use of condoms. The findings of this research project indicate the need of deliberate focus on alcohol misuse during HIV-prevention education. HIV-prevention interventions should pay attention to reducing sexual risk behaviour associated with alcohol misuse among young men. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This study investigated social contextual factors influencing poor uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services by middle-aged black men in Ratanda, Heidelberg. A qualitative research approach was used in which ten men and two key informants were interviewed. Themes explored were the participants’ biographical characteristics; knowledge of HIV and AIDS; health-seeking behaviours; understanding of multiple sexual partnerships and male circumcision and challenges in utilising HCT services. Various social behaviour change theories formed the theoretical framework guiding this study. It was found that fear, stigma and cultural factors largely contributed to poor HCT uptake. Moreover despite the men’s high HIV risk perceptions, behaviour change lags behind. Greater efforts to establish a men’s forum to discuss sexual health matters in Ratanda is recommended. / Health Studies / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

This study investigated social contextual factors influencing poor uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services by middle-aged black men in Ratanda, Heidelberg. A qualitative research approach was used in which ten men and two key informants were interviewed. Themes explored were the participants’ biographical characteristics; knowledge of HIV and AIDS; health-seeking behaviours; understanding of multiple sexual partnerships and male circumcision and challenges in utilising HCT services. Various social behaviour change theories formed the theoretical framework guiding this study. It was found that fear, stigma and cultural factors largely contributed to poor HCT uptake. Moreover despite the men’s high HIV risk perceptions, behaviour change lags behind. Greater efforts to establish a men’s forum to discuss sexual health matters in Ratanda is recommended. / Health Studies / M. A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)