HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour at older ages in rural Malawi

Freeman, Emily and Anglewicz, Philip (2012) HIV prevalence and sexual behaviour at older ages in rural Malawi. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 23 (7). pp. 490-496. ISSN 1758-1052

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Abstract

Research on HIV infection and sexual behaviour in sub-Saharan Africa typically focuses on individuals aged 15–49 years, under the assumption that both become less relevant for older individuals. We test this assumption using data from rural Malawi to compare sexual behaviour and HIV infection among individuals aged 15–49 with individuals aged 50–64 and 65 years and over. Although general declines with age were observed, levels of sexual activity and HIV remained considerable: 26.7 percent and 73.8 percent of women and men aged 65 and older reported having sex in the last year, respectively; men’s average number of sexual partners remained above one; and HIV prevalence is significantly higher for men aged 50–64 (8.9 percent) than men aged 15–49 (4.1 percent). We conclude that older populations are relevant to studies of sexual behaviour and HIV risk. Their importance is likely to increase as access to antiretrovirals in Africa increases. We recommend inclusion of adults aged over 49 years in African HIV/AIDS research and prevention efforts.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://std.sagepub.com/content/23/7/490
Additional Information:	© 2012 The Authors
Library of Congress subject classification:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Journal of Economic Literature Classification System:	I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I10 - General I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I18 - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health I - Health, Education, and Welfare > I1 - Health > I19 - Other O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy > O20 - General O - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy > O29 - Other
Sets:	Departments > Social Policy Research centres and groups > LSE Health
Funders:	Rockefeller Foundation, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, USA, National Institute on Aging, USA, University of Pennsylvania, Economic and Social Research Council, UK
Date Deposited:	07 Apr 2014 15:45
URL:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/56326/

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