HIV/AIDS Health Education Programs for Older Adults: Focus Groups among Older Adults Age 50 and Older Residing in Dayton Ohio

Background: Using qualitative methods, this study explored the perceived benefits of receiving HIV/AIDS health education for persons age 50 and older.

Methods: 50 women and men over age 50 living in Dayton, Ohio participated in four sixty minute auto-taped focus groups. All of the participants were part of a mixed- methods community based pilot study (Educating the Elderly about HIV/AIDS Disease). The focus group questions examined issues associated with HIV/AIDS prevention and the 50 + age demographic (including knowledge of HIV/AIDS, barriers to prevention, appropriate messages and slogans, and misperceptions about sexuality and other risk factors for the disease). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivio7. An initial set of codes were developed to facilitate a content and thematic analysis of the data.

Results: Participants perceived great benefits to the receipt of HIV/AIDS education. Respondents reported incomplete knowledge about HIV/AIDS and suggested additionally education was necessary. This need for additional education was particularly evident in concerns regarding co-morbidities (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure and HAART therapy). Many respondents illustrated low perceived risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and instead focused concern on younger generational cohorts (teenagers and young adults) and those older adults partaking in overt risk taking behavior (drug use & prostitution).Many concurred that they found no HIV/AIDS health promotion campaigns targeting their demographic and suggested slogans for inclusion in future campaigns.

Conclusion: Social work, public health, gerontological service providers can use this data to help provide education and primary prevention to middle aged and older adults.