Geographic Patterns of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Risk Behaviors Among Older Adults: A Strategy for Identifying Space as a Risk Exposure.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined geographical patterns of HIV risk among adults aged 60 and older. METHODS: The 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) weighted data was used to analyze self-reported participation in HIV risk behaviors among older adults (n = 62,852). Logistic regression models were used on a dichotomous HIV risk variable to map the distribution of HIV risk behaviors across both census regions and divisions. RESULTS: The weighted model revealed significance across regions. Across all regions, identifying as female, identifying as Hispanic, and reporting not having depression were protective from participating in HIV risk behaviors. DISCUSSION: The geographic heterogeneity in patterns of high-risk behaviors among older adults are discussed, along with the implications of partner access (marital status) and emotional health (depression) that need further examination. Recommendations for additional geographic analysis are made.

A scoping review: Forced/coerced sterilization as a socio-cultural risk factor for sexually transmitted HIV for older Black women.

Understanding socio-cultural factors that influence older (age 50 and up) Black women's risk for sexually transmitted HIV has often been absent from policies and programs. This scoping review asked: What does academic literature reveal about forced/coerced sterilization as a risk factor for older Black women who are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted HIV? Using the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology, the authors identified academic and gray literature published between 2000 and 2023. Of the 407 sources identified and screened, three articles met the criteria for inclusion. One study focused on birth control conspiracy beliefs, another focused on racial differences in Norplant use, and the third focused on the intergenerational transmission of mistrust of medical care that influences HIV prevention among Black Americans. The study findings suggest that because the link has not been made between socio-cultural factors that impact older Black women's reproductive health practices, further investigation is warranted.

Evaluating HIV Educational Materials for Older People.

OBJECTIVE: To address the gap in knowledge about HIV risk reduction materials that target older adults. This review offered a comprehensive and rigorous examination of HIV risk reduction education materials that targeted older adults in the United States, assessing the gap in their coverage and content. METHOD: A cross-sectional review of both print and Internet sources from state departments of public health, state and area agencies on aging, and web resources that targeted older populations was performed. RESULTS: Of 29 health departments and 13 state and area agencies on aging that responded to the request, there were 9 HIV education materials identified that targeted older people. Of those materials, only 2 addressed the majority of aging-specific recommendations made from a previous study that described important HIV risk reduction information. DISCUSSION: Recommendations are made about dissemination ideas to increase awareness and utilization of HIV educational materials.

Woman to Woman (W2W): Adapting an HIV risk reduction intervention for older women.

Woman to Woman (W2W) is a novel adaptation of the Sisters Informing Sisters about Topics on AIDS (SISTA) HIV prevention program. This article describes the process of adapting and piloting W2W based on recommendations from existing HIV prevention research. Six older women, all of whom had histories of homelessness and the majority of whom identified as African American, enrolled in the study, which piloted the adapted intervention and materials, evaluated the acceptability of the program, and assessed the measures related to the intervention. Participants described satisfaction with the program and had high rates of attendance; observations regarding the measures suggest the need to further develop assessments of HIV knowledge, condom use self-efficacy, and risk behaviors in this context.