Patterns and correlates of sexual activity and condom use behavior in persons 50-plus years of age living with HIV/AIDS

AIDS Behav. 2008 Nov;12(6):943-56. doi: 10.1007/s10461-008-9384-2. Epub 2008 Apr 4.

Abstract

This study characterized rates of sexual activity and identified psychosocial and behavioral correlates of sexual activity and condom use in a metropolitan sample of 290 HIV-infected adults 50-plus years of age. Thirty-eight percent of participants were sexually active in the past three months, 33% of whom had at least one occasion of anal or vaginal intercourse that was not condom protected. Rates and correlates of sexual activity and condom use differed between gay/bisexual men, heterosexual men, and heterosexual women. In the past three months, 72% of heterosexual men were sexually active compared to only 36% of gay/bisexual men and 21% of heterosexual women. However, among sexually active persons, only 27% of heterosexual men reported inconsistent condom use compared to 37% of gay/bisexual men and 35% of heterosexual women. As the number of older adults living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. continues to increase, age-appropriate secondary risk-reduction interventions are urgently needed.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Bisexuality
  • Computers
  • Condoms / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Heterosexuality
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Ohio / epidemiology
  • Psychology
  • Self Disclosure
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology*
  • Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexual Partners
  • Surveys and Questionnaires