University of Sussex
Browse
- No file added yet -

Factors associated with offering HIV testing to people aged =50 years: a qualitative study

Download (365.02 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 01:31 authored by Elaney Youssef, Juliet Wright, Kevin DaviesKevin Davies, Valerie Delpech, Alison Brown, Vanessa Cooper, Memory Sachikonye, Richard De VisserRichard De Visser
Background Individuals aged = 50 years continue to be disproportionately affected by late HIV diagnosis, which is associated with poorer health outcomes and onward transmission. Despite HIV testing guidelines and high acceptability of HIV testing among all patients, clinicians are less likely to offer a test to an older individual. The aim of this study was to identify clinician-related factors associated with offering HIV testing to patients aged = 50 years. Methods Twenty clinicians who had been involved in the care of an older patient diagnosed late with HIV were interviewed. Results Thematic analysis identified seven factors associated with offering HIV testing to older people: knowledge, stigma, stereotyping and perception of risk, symptom attribution, discussing HIV with patients, consent procedures and practical issues. Conclusions Although some factors are not unique to older patients, some are unique to this group. Many clinicians lack up-to-date HIV-related knowledge, feel anxious discussing HIV with older patients and perceive asexuality in older age. In order to increase the offer of HIV testing to this group, we identified clinician-related barriers to test offer that need to be addressed.

Funding

Understanding late diagnosis of HIV in people aged 50 or above; G1821; NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH; DRF-2015-08-086

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

International Journal of STD and AIDS

ISSN

0956-4624

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Department affiliated with

  • Division of Medical Education Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2021-10-27

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2021-10-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2021-10-26

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC