Atlanta Journal-Constitution Examines HIV/AIDS Knowledge of Women Over Age 50
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday examined the HIV/AIDS knowledge of women over age 50, who are "extremely naive" about how the virus is transmitted. According to a study conducted by researchers at Emory University, about half of the women surveyed believed that male vasectomy or diaphragms provide some protection against HIV. In addition, only 13% knew that condoms were very effective in preventing transmission of the virus, according to the Journal-Constitution. The study results were "a little scary," Lisa Bernstein, an assistant professor of medicine at Emory's School of Medicine and lead author of the study, said, adding, "These women do not realize they are at risk. And there is a major knowledge deficit." However, Kim Anderson, executive director of AID Atlanta, said that requests for outreach programs at senior centers have increased recently. "As the population quietly admits that because of Viagra and other reasons, they are sexually active, senior (centers) are asking us to come out and talk to them about it," Anderson said (Oliviero, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11/10).
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