When we think of HIV/AIDS we have certain populations in mind. We hear about its ravages on young men and women; on the gay and transgender populations; on the homeless and the intravenous drug user. We seldom think about HIV/AIDS and senior citizens. What no one talks about is HIV/AIDS and the older adult. It’s no wonder that when you talk to our senior citizens, they may have the perception that HIV/AIDS is not a risk to them. Is HIV/AIDS a risk to older adults? Is HIV/AIDS over 50 a problem?
(Cichocki, 2007) The truth of the matter is that HIV/AIDS surveillance shows that 10 percent of all new HIV/AIDS cases are in people over the age of 50. Statistics also show that new HIV/AIDS cases rose faster in the over 50 population than in people under 40. The following information sheds light on HIV/AIDS and the older adult population perception, and what can be done to raise awareness, slow the infection rate and sustain a high quality of life for our seniors (Cichocki, 2007).
Research has shown that, while many of these HIV/AIDS cases are the result of HIV infections at a younger age; many are due to becoming infected after age 50 (Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, 1996; 8:15. ). Many older adult people live in assisted living communities, where there is still great stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, often associated with homosexuality and/or substance abuse. Management may be resistant to providing HIV/AIDS educational materials or presentation to their facilities.
Based on the progressive increase of HIV/AIDS in the older adult population, it is reasonable to predict that the perception of HIV/AIDS in this age group may continue to rise if steps are not taken to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission (Eldred & West, 2005). Education is power, and the need to change the perception of a forgotten population is long overdue. This study was administered to older adults in a nursing facility, senior activity center, and a community barber shop in Fayetteville, N. C. Current research suggests that understanding the transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus can lead
to more positive perceptions, in this population-therefore could lower the risk of infections. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Over the last decade, in Western countries, a slow but substantial ageing of the AIDS epidemic has been observed (Mack & ORY, 2003), mainly due to the longer survival of persons with HIV/AIDS following the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). On the other hand, an increasing proportion of people in midlife and late adulthood have been observed among newly acquired HIV infections in recent years (Levy, Ory, & Crystal, 2003).
However, only recently studies have addressed the issue of HIV/AIDS among older adults, defined as those aged 50 years of above (Anton et al. , 2005), and this phenomenon must still be characterized in detail. Although, HIV among older adults is not a new phenomenon, the most common mode of transmission has changed. Where blood transfusion was once the major mode of transmission in older adults, men who have sex with men (MSM) and those who have heterosexual contact, specifically sexual contact with a person at risk, now account for the majority of HIV transmissions.
These two risk groups account for the majority of AIDS diagnoses in this group as well (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005b). The lack of risk information directed to older adults is compounded by the fact that HIV risk exists in a context of secrecy (Linsk, 2000). HIV is associated with social taboos, which may contribute to a reluctance to report engagement in a stigmatized behavior. HIV is perceived as a lethal disease transmitted by specific behaviors and most prevalent among gay men and IDUs (Linsk, 1994). This study was designed to look at the perception of the female and male population, age 50 and above.
Demographic characteristics and knowledge statements was displayed by using tables in order to get a better understanding of their perception. Questions were asked about their knowledge and perception. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The primary purpose of the study was to examine the perception of HIV/AIDS virus, of females in relation to males. A Nursing home, senior activity center, and a community barber shop were targeted locations. The researcher wanted to look at how the perception of the two sexes would/would not differ.
For example, would persons living in a nursing home (structured environment), perception differ than persons living more independently (less structured environment). Through this study, nursing facilities, geriatric wards and the community at large will gain knowledge of older adults’ perception of HIV/AIDS virus. Having this knowledge may assist senior recreational centers, to better prepare their seniors with up-to-date; research, medicine, alternatives, support groups and educational literature to gain accurate knowledge, to make wise decisions, about the transmission/contracting HIV/AIDS.
HYPOTHESIS There will be no significant difference in the perception of males “vs. ” females’ population. The hypothesis was tested by collecting information from surveys that was administered to older adults. Based on the data from the surveys, it will determine if the hypothesis was accurate. The study was designed to answer the following question, what is the perception of HIV/AIDS issues, in relation to males “vs. ” females. METHODOLOGY Study procedures were approved by Dr. Glen Martin, of Webster University Review Board.
The survey was conducted at a nursing home, senior activity center, and a community barber shop, in the city limits of Fayetteville, N. C. Participants were chosen at random and were asked to complete the survey. The survey was administered by researcher, who gave simple instructions to complete. Part I consisted of 12 multiple choice questions of the knowledge and perception of HIV/AIDS virus. Part II also asked the gender of the participant and which age category best suites them. The researcher informed them that the survey they were taking is anonymous.
No one, including the researcher would be able to associate their responses with their identity. They were made aware that their participation was voluntary. The researcher expressed to them that if they would like to know the results of the study, they could provide the researcher with their contact information. The participants were chosen at random in each setting. Participants were given part I and part II together. Researcher thanked participants for their time and cooperation. SAMPLE The senior activity center had an aerobics class which consisted of 75 percent women who took the first survey.
The second survey was by appointment, at the nursing facility; which consisted of 50 percent male and female, but only a total of 20 participants. To even out the sample of male participants with the female participants, the local barber shop was an ideal location. Through the random sampling, the researcher was able to survey almost equal number of men and women during the study.
INSTRUMENTATION The instrument used was from the Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, 1996. The scale measured the knowledge and perception and categorized them into correct and incorrect percentages.
The measurement instrument used in this study included questions relating to HIV/AIDS issues. There were two parts to the survey. Part I dealt with the knowledge and perception of the participant, and part II dealt with demographic characteristics. The instrument contained questions that were to be answered by multiple choice. As well as questions that asked a direct question to be given a specific answer from the participant. Only the surveys that were complete were counted. PROCEDURE Participants were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Simple random sampling was used in the study.
The surveys were distributed to those who were in the nursing facility, senior activity center, community barber shop, and those available to participate. The survey consisted of part I and part II. Part I and part II was distributed at the same time. The two parts were stapled together.
LIMITATIONS The study was limited to older adults at a nursing facility, senior activity center, and community barber shop. Only participants that were on the days of the survey participated. The surveys were given to older adults at random on the site. Therefore, the results reflect only the older adults at the three different locations.
The sample size and time frame of the survey were also factors of the limitations. The survey was conducted over a 1 week span to participants who were available to take the survey. Only the surveys that were filled out completely by the participant were counted.
DEFINITION OF TERMS The following terms were defined for this study. Ageing: Multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. It is a disease which causes the body’s immune system to break down. Once the immune system breaks down, people are very susceptible to infection of disease.
About half of the people infected with HIV will get AIDS within 10 years. Older people with HIV will get AIDS one and a half to two years faster than younger people. There is no cure for AIDS yet, but there are new medical treatments that can postpone of treat many of the illnesses associated with AIDS Degrees of freedom (df): A concept used in test of statistical significance; the number of observations that are free to vary to produce a known outcome. HAART: Highly active antiretroviral therapy- a drug used to stop the HIV/AIDS virus from entering the blood cells.
HIV: Stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS Hypothesis: A statement that makes an assertion about that it is true in a particular situation; often, a statement asserting that two or more variables are related to one another. IDU: Intravenous drug users MSM: Men who have sex with men Null Hypothesis: The hypothesis used for statistical purposes that the variables under investigation are not related in the population, that any observed effect based on sample results is due to random error.
Ora Sure: Non-invasive, quick accurate way to test for HIV-1, with a mouth swab. Randomization: Controlling for the effects of extraneous variables by ensuring that the variables operate in a manner determined entirely by chance. Reliability: The degree to which a measure is consistent. Sampling: The process of choosing members of a population to be included in a sample. Simple Random Sampling: A sampling process in which each member of the population has an equal probability of being included in the sample.