Award Date

1-1-1999

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Nursing

First Committee Member

Margaret Louis

Number of Pages

86

Abstract

By using a questionnaire derived from the Health Belief Model, this study examined older adults' knowledge of AIDS, perceptions of risk to AIDS, and at-risk behaviors. A total of 166 questionnaires were received from the EXCELL and Senior Adult Theater Group members actively enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The results indicated the respondents were knowledgeable about the transmission and seriousness of AIDS but were less knowledgeable about AIDS transmission through casual contact and the medical aspects of AIDS. Although they recognized the seriousness of AIDS, they generally do not believe that they are susceptible to this disease. Most did not think protecting themselves from AIDS would be particularly burdensome and they perceived safe sexual practices to be effective in preventing HIV transmission. Overall, this sample does not exhibit activities that would increase their chances in acquiring the AIDS virus and their use of condoms was low.

Keywords

Adults; Aids; Behaviors; Immune Deficiency; Knowledge; Older; Perceived; Risk

Controlled Subject

Nursing; Public health; Gerontology

File Format

pdf

File Size

2191.36 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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