Social Representations about HIV/AIDS built by the elderly: an integrative review

Olívia Galvão Lucena Ferreira,Eliane De Sousa Leite,Antônia Oliveira Silva ,Maria Adelaíde Silva Paredes Moreira ,Laura De Sousa Gomes Veloso,Alinne Beserra De Lucena Marcolino,Tatyana Ataíde Melo De Pinho,Jordana De Almeida Nogueira

doi:10.3823/1849

Abstract

Introdu ction : the theory of social representations possible to know with more particularity how individuals see the reality facing the object / phenomenon from their experiences that are loaded with beliefs and values and guide their conduct. Objective: collect studies about the social representations of HIV/AIDS built by the elderly. Method: an integrative literature review that sought national and international articles in the databases: LILACS, SciELO and PUBMED, with time frame from 2005 to 2014. Results: we selected and analyzed six articles identifying four thematic groups that served as the discussion guide: HIV/AIDS and the biopsychosocial difficulties; Aging and HIV/AIDS: a double challenge; HIV/AIDS and ways of coping; Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Discussion: it can be observed that the social representations about HIV/AIDS built by elderly showed that the beliefs, interpretations and network developed symbolizations are complex, permeated by the disease and its biopsychosocial consequences. However, it turns out that, despite the complexity of the phenomenon experienced, people look for ways of coping, in order to improve their quality of life and leave it as close as possible to what it was before the diagnosis. Conclusion: it turns out that, despite the complexity of the phenomenon experienced, people look for ways of coping, in order to improve their quality of life and leave it as close as possible to what it was before the diagnosis.

Highlights

The increase in life expectancy in recent decades has resulted in an accelerated process of population aging
There were used for data collection, interviews, questionnaires and free association of words test (TALP), the interview collection method most used data and the data resulting from these instruments have been exploited through thematic content analysis technique, where one of the studies used the Alceste software and two of them carried out factor analysis of correspondence with the aid of the Tri-Deux-Mots software
To guide the discussion there were identified four thematic groups regarding the social representations about HIV/AIDS for elderly people: (1) HIV/AIDS and the biopsychosocial difficulties; (2) aging and HIV/ AIDS: a double challenge; (3) HIV/AIDS and ways of coping; (4) vulnerability to HIV/AIDS

Summary

Introduction

The increase in life expectancy in recent decades has resulted in an accelerated process of population aging. It is estimated that people over 59 account for 11% of the global population, and this percentage is expected to increase to 16.5% in 2030. In Brazil, in 2012, estimates indicate that the proportion of the total population over the age of 59 years old is approximately of 11.3% (22 million people) and this figure will double in the 20 years. It has been observed increased incidence of some diseases that were not so common in this age group, such as AIDS [1]. The first case of AIDS in Brazil was notified in 1980 and the first case of this disease in individuals over age 50 were reported in 1982, since there has seen an increase in the incidence of AIDS in the population over 50 years old and the incidence doubled between the years 1996 to 2006 [1,2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion