Older adults account for 20% of new HIV infections in the U.S and 50% of people living with the disease. In part, this is due to people living longer with HIV, greater sexual activity in later life, a lack of condom use, and little understanding about HIV/AIDS. Evidence suggests that healthcare providers can play a key role in the dissemination of information about HIV/AIDS to older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of patient-provider communication of HIV/AIDS on older adults’ intentions to use condoms. The mediating relationships of knowledge of HIV/AIDS, perceived threat, subjective norms, and self-efficacy were also examined. This study utilized a cross-sectional, web-based survey, administered to adults aged 50 years and older (N=427). Forty-one percent of participants reported no communication with the healthcare provider about HIV/AIDS, yet 87% reported future intentions to use a condom with a new sexual partner. Participants demonstrated high knowledge of HIV/AIDS (M=14.7 out of 18), believed their sexual partner would be agreeable to using condoms (M=24 out of 36), and 91% believed they had the ability to properly use a condom. However, participants did not believe HIV/AIDS posed a threat to their health (M=8 out of 36). Mediation analysis yielded non-significant results. Healthcare providers can provide tailored prevention recommendations to higher risk older adults in order to curb the number of new infections. Additional research is needed with older adults who identify as LGBT, MSM, and older adults of color.
Dissertation
Older adults and HIV prevention: exploring the relationship between patient-provider communication and condom use intentions
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Summer 2016
DOI: 10.17077/etd.ggj3eb4i
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Older adults and HIV prevention: exploring the relationship between patient-provider communication and condom use intentions
- Creators
- Erin Linn Robinson - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Sara Sanders (Advisor)Sato Ashida (Committee Member)Man Guo (Committee Member)Edward Saunders (Committee Member)Jeanne Saunders (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Social Work
- Date degree season
- Summer 2016
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.17077/etd.ggj3eb4i
- Number of pages
- x, 188 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2016 Erin Linn Robinson
- Language
- English
- Description illustrations
- illustrations (some color)
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 106-133).
- Academic Unit
- School of Social Work
- Record Identifier
- 9983777129502771
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