Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Behavior and Attitudes Toward Sex of Older Adults Living with HIV

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The number of older adults living with HIV (OALHIV) is increasing rapidly due to effective antiretroviral therapy. The current research describes sexual behavior, attitudes toward sex, and HIV transmission risk among OALHIV. Participants were HIV-infected persons aged 50 years and older enrolled from community hospitals in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand. Of the 328 participants, 57.6% were women, and the average age was 58.8 years. The majority of participants (93.9%) had undetectable viral load. Most participants (77.1%) thought that it is ok/acceptable for PLHIV to have sex. About one-third of OALHIV participants were sexually active. Being male, younger, married, a previous smoker or a non-smoker, having a positive attitude toward sex, and not having a chronic health condition were independent predictors of having had sex in the last 12 months. Risk of HIV sexual transmission was likely low due to consistent condom use, undetectable viral load, and low instances of extramarital sex.

Resumen

El número de adultos mayores que viven con VIH (OALHIV) está aumentando rápidamente debido a la terapia antirretroviral efectiva. La investigación actual describe el comportamiento sexual, las actitudes hacia el sexo y el riesgo de transmisión del VIH entre los OALHIV. Los participantes eran personas infectadas por el VIH de 50 años o más inscritas en hospitales comunitarios en la provincia de Chiang Mai, norte de Tailandia. De los 328 participantes, el 57,6% eran mujeres, y la edad promedio fue de 58,8 años. La mayoría de los participantes (93,9%) tenían una carga viral indetectable. La mayoría de los participantes (77.1%) pensó que está bien / aceptable que las PVVIH tengan relaciones sexuales. Alrededor de un tercio de los participantes de OALHIV eran sexualmente activos. Ser hombre, joven, casado, fumador anterior o no fumador, tener una actitud positiva hacia el sexo y no tener una condición de salud crónica fueron predictores independientes de haber tenido relaciones sexuales en los últimos 12 meses. El riesgo de transmisión sexual del VIH probablemente fue bajo debido al uso constante del condón, la carga viral indetectable y los bajos casos de relaciones sexuales extramaritales.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. High KP, Brennan-Ing M, Clifford DB, Cohen MH, Currier J, Deeks SG, et al. HIV and aging: state of knowledge and areas of critical need for research. A report to the NIH Office of AIDS Research by the HIV and Aging Working Group. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2012;60(Suppl 1):S1–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Agate LL, Mullins JM, Prudent ES, Liberti TM. Strategies for reaching retirement communities and aging social networks: HIV/AIDS prevention activities among seniors in South Florida. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 1999;2003(33 Suppl 2):S238–42.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Autenrieth CS, Beck EJ. Global and regional trends of people living with HIV aged 50 and over: estimates and projections for 2000–2020. PLoS ONE. 2018;13(11):e0207005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Teeraananchai S, Kerr SJ, Amin J, Ruxrungtham K, Law MG. Life expectancy of HIV-positive people after starting combination antiretroviral therapy: a meta-analysis. HIV Med. 2017;18(4):256–66.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wandeler G, Johnson LF, Egger M. Trends in life expectancy of HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy across the globe: comparisons with general population. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2016;11(5):492–500.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. World Health Organization W. Sexual health, human rights and the law. 2015.

  7. Lindau ST, Schumm LP, Laumann EO, Levinson W, O’Muircheartaigh CA, Waite LJ. A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(8):762–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Laumann EO, Nicolosi A, Glasser DB, Paik A, Gingell C, Moreira E, et al. Sexual problems among women and men aged 40-80 y: prevalence and correlates identified in the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors. Int J Impot Res. 2005;17(1):39–57.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Smith L, Yang L, Veronese N, Soysal P, Stubbs B, Jackson SE. Sexual activity is associated with greater enjoyment of life in older adults. Sex Med. 2019;7(1):11–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Wang V, Depp CA, Ceglowski J, Thompson WK, Rock D, Jeste DV. Sexual health and function in later life: a population-based study of 606 older adults with a partner. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015;23(3):227–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Jackson SE, Firth J, Veronese N, Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Yang L, et al. Decline in sexuality and wellbeing in older adults: a population-based study. J Affect Disord. 2019;245:912–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Forbes MK, Eaton NR, Krueger RF. Sexual quality of life and aging: a prospective study of a nationally representative sample. J Sex Res. 2017;54(2):137–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Inelmen EM, Sergi G, Girardi A, Coin A, Toffanello ED, Cardin F, et al. The importance of sexual health in the elderly: breaking down barriers and taboos. Aging Clin Exp Res. 2012;24(3 Suppl):31–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Turan B, Budhwani H, Fazeli PL, Browning WR, Raper JL, Mugavero MJ, et al. How does stigma affect people living with HIV? The mediating roles of internalized and anticipated HIV stigma in the effects of perceived community stigma on health and psychosocial outcomes. AIDS Behav. 2017;21(1):283–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Psaros C, Barinas J, Robbins GK, Bedoya CA, Safren SA, Park ER. Intimacy and sexual decision making: exploring the perspective of HIV positive women over 50. AIDS Patient Care STDs. 2012;26(12):755–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. van Griensven F, Phanuphak N, Srithanaviboonchai K. Biomedical HIV prevention research and epidemic control in Thailand: two sides of the same coin. Sex Health. 2014;11(2):180–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Rojanapithayakorn W, Hanenberg R. The 100% condom program in Thailand. AIDS (London, England). 1996;10(1):1–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Thisyakorn U. Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV: lessons learned from success in Thailand. Paediatr Int Child Health. 2017;37(2):99–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Chasombat S, Lertpiriyasuwat C, Thanprasertsuk S, Suebsaeng L, Lo YR. The National Access to Antiretroviral Program for PHA (NAPHA) in Thailand. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2006;37(4):704–15.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cooperman NA, Arnsten JH, Klein RS. Current sexual activity and risky sexual behavior in older men with or at risk for HIV infection. AIDS Educ Prev. 2007;19(4):321–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Golub S, Botsko M, Gamarel K, Parsons J, Brennan-Ing M, Karpiak S. Dimensions of psychological well-being predict consistent condom use among older adults living with HIV. Ageing Int. 2011;36:1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Golub SA, Tomassilli JC, Pantalone DW, Brennan M, Karpiak SE, Parsons JT. Prevalence and correlates of sexual behavior and risk management among HIV-positive adults over 50. Sex Transm Dis. 2010;37(10):615–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Illa L, Brickman A, Saint-Jean G, Echenique M, Metsch L, Eisdorfer C, et al. Sexual risk behaviors in late middle age and older HIV seropositive adults. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(6):935–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Lovejoy TI, Heckman TG, Sikkema KJ, Hansen NB, Kochman A, Suhr JA, et al. Patterns and correlates of sexual activity and condom use behavior in persons 50-plus years of age living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Behav. 2008;12(6):943–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Emlet CA, Fredriksen-Goldsen KI, Kim HJ, Hoy-Ellis C. The relationship between sexual minority stigma and sexual health risk behaviors among HIV-positive older gay and bisexual men. J Appl Gerontol. 2017;36(8):931–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Starks TJ, Millar BM, Parsons JT. Predictors of condom use with main and casual partners among HIV-positive men over 50. Health Psychol. 2015;34(11):1116–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhao Q, Mao Y, Li X, Shen Z, Zhou Y. Age differences in sexual risk behaviors and related factors among people living with HIV in Guangxi, China. AIDS Care. 2018;30(4):523–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Negin J, Geddes L, Brennan-Ing M, Kuteesa M, Karpiak S, Seeley J. Sexual behavior of older adults living with HIV in Uganda. Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(2):441–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Musumari PM, Tangmunkongvorakul A. Socio-behavioral risk factors among older adults living with HIV in Thailand. 2017;12(11):e0188088.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Weinberger AH, Kashan RS, Shpigel DM, Esan H, Taha F. Depression and cigarette smoking behavior: a critical review of population-based studies. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):416–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Atlantis E, Sullivan T. Bidirectional association between depression and sexual dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sex Med. 2012;9(6):1497–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Biebel MG, Burnett AL, Sadeghi-Nejad H. Male sexual function and smoking. Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(4):366–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Hajat C, Stein E. The global burden of multiple chronic conditions: a narrative review. Prev Med Rep. 2018;12:284–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Merghati-Khoei E, Pirak A, Yazdkhasti M, Rezasoltani P. Sexuality and elderly with chronic diseases: a review of the existing literature. J Res Med Sci. 2016;21:136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Cohen MS, McCauley M, Gamble TR. HIV treatment as prevention and HPTN 052. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2012;7(2):99–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. The Lancet H. U = U taking off in 2017. Lancet HIV. 2017;4(11):e475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participants and health staff of the community hospital for their contributions to the study. The study was supported by the Chiang Mai University Center of Excellence in HIV/AIDS. We also thank the Visiting Professor program of Chiang Mai University for supporting the collaboration between Kyoto University and Chiang Mai University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intavaroros Road, Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand

    Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai, Patou Masika Musumari, Arunrat Tangmunkongvorakul & Kittipan Rerkasem

  2. Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai & Kittipan Rerkasem

  3. Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 1st, Ministry of Public Health, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Wathee Sitthi

  4. Department of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Teeranee Techasrivichien

  5. Global Health Interdisciplinary Unit, Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Patou Masika Musumari & Teeranee Techasrivichien

Authors
  1. Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wathee Sitthi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Patou Masika Musumari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Arunrat Tangmunkongvorakul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kittipan Rerkasem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Teeranee Techasrivichien
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kriengkrai Srithanaviboonchai.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Srithanaviboonchai, K., Sitthi, W., Musumari, P.M. et al. Sexual Behavior and Attitudes Toward Sex of Older Adults Living with HIV. AIDS Behav 24, 1825–1834 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02756-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02756-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation