Level of Knowledge About and Attitudes of Older Adults Toward Persons with HIV/AIDS in the Salt Lake Metropolitan Area

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is affecting individuals of all ages in the U.S. Despite the increasing awareness of HIV/AIDS issues in the U.S., there has been a lack of research examining the knowledge levels about and attitudes of older adults toward persons with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this research project was to examine the level of knowledge and attitudes in a sample of older adults aged 50 and older in the Salt Lake Metropolitan area. A self-administered, 36-item questionnaire was completed by 110 older adults, with an average age of 73 and the large majority being female (80%). Collectively, the older adults in this sample were knowledgeable about issues concerning HIV/AIDS; however, a substantial proportion of older adults (30%) provided incorrect responses to several questions regarding the mechanisms for the transmission of HIV/AIDS. There was only one significant difference in accuracy of knowledge between males and females, which indicated that men were more likely than women to respond incorrectly to the statement "You can get HIV/AIDS from using the same rest-room facility as an infected person. " On 4 of the 17 knowledge items, chronological age was related to knowledge levels, with the youngest respondents being the most accurate in their knowledge. Education levels also were associated with 4 of the 17 items, with those having lower education levels being inaccurate in their knowledge about HTV/AIDS. The respondents' attitudes showed an increasing level of tolerance for persons with HTV/AIDS as their physical proximity and relationships became closer to them. In hypothetical cases, they were least tolerant of "just someone" and more tolerant of neighbors and most tolerant of relatives. In general, the findings suggest the need to increase educational opportunities regarding health issues of HIV/AIDS for older adults and specifically dissemination of accurateinformation regarding transmission of HIV/AIDS in humans for older adults.