HIV/AIDS epidemic in the elderly and prevention and control challenges in China

VernacularTitle:我国老年人群艾滋病防控现状与挑战
Author: Houlin TANG ¹ ; Yichen JIN ; Fan LYU
Author Information

1. 中国疾病预防控制中心性病艾滋病预防控制中心，北京　102206
Keywords: HIV/AIDS; Elder; Epidemic; Prevention and control
From: Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2023;44(11):1669-1672
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: With the rapidly increase of HIV infections in the elderly in China, new challenges have emerged in HIV/AIDS prevention and control. Low awareness of HIV and common unprotected casual sex and commercial sex has made older people at higher risk for HIV infection. In addition, HIV-infected and higher risk elderly people have limited awareness of HIV-related knowledge and access to testing services due to low educational level and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, HIV-infected elderly people usually have elevated risk of death because of late detection and comorbidities of chronic diseases. More research should be made to further understand the behavioural characteristics and social, cultural and psychological determinants of the elderly, development and adoption of HIV prevention service strategy catering for the elderly's need, and strengthening whole-process comprehensive health management of elderly infected people.