We propose to conduct a telephone survey of a national probability sample of 3,500 U.S. men and women aged 50-75 years that will describe the prevalence of high risk behaviors within this age group. Ten percent of AIDS cases are among persons aged 50 and older. Unfortunately, no reliable estimates exist of the risk for further HIV transmission within this age group. Needed is a more complete understanding of the sexual practices of older Americans and valid estimates of the proportion of older Americans with a history of blood-transfusions, intravenous drug use, or high-risk male homosexual behaviors. First, we will measure the point prevalence of specific behaviors related to HIV transmission and prevalence since 1977 of blood transfusions among older Americans. Prevalence estimates will also be generated separately for AIDS epicenters and for the combined geographical areas that lie outside of the major American centers of the epidemic. Second, using the three-stage AIDS Risk Reduction Model (Catania, Kegeles and Coates, in press), we will identify the determinants of behaviors implicated in the spread of HIV infection among older Americans. Data from this project will provide needed information regarding the prevalence and determinants of high risk behaviors for HIV transmission among Americans over the age of 50, a subset of the population that has heretofore been neglected in AIDS prevention research. By measuring absolute levels of risk and by identifying the determinants of risk for HIV transmission within this population, our ability to design effective AIDS prevention campaigns for older Americans will be qualitatively improved.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01MH046240-01
Application #
3386104
Study Section
(ARR)
Project Start
1989-09-01
Project End
1991-08-31
Budget Start
1989-09-01
Budget End
1990-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
073133571
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143
Catania, Joseph A; Dolcini, M Margaret (2002) A commentary on Sallis, Owen, and Fotheringham's perspective on ""Behavioral epidemiology: a systematic framework to classify phases of research on health promotion and disease prevention"". Ann Behav Med 24:78; discussion 79
Catania, J A; Canchola, J; Binson, D et al. (2001) National trends in condom use among at-risk heterosexuals in the united states. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 27:176-82
Turner, H A; Catania, J A (1997) Informal caregiving to persons with AIDS in the United States: caregiver burden among central cities residents eighteen to forty-nine years old. Am J Community Psychol 25:35-59
Binson, D; Pollack, L; Catania, J A (1997) AIDS-related risk behaviors and safer sex practices of women in midlife and older in the United States: 1990 to 1992. Health Care Women Int 18:343-54
Grinstead, O A; Peterson, J L; Faigeles, B et al. (1997) Antibody testing and condom use among heterosexual African Americans at risk for HIV infection: the National AIDS Behavioral Surveys. Am J Public Health 87:857-9
Catania, J A; Moskowitz, J T; Ruiz, M et al. (1996) A review of national AIDS-related behavioral surveys. AIDS 10 Suppl A:S183-90
Catania, J A; Binson, D; Dolcini, M M et al. (1995) Risk factors for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and prevention practices among US heterosexual adults: changes from 1990 to 1992. Am J Public Health 85:1492-9
Stall, R; Catania, J (1994) AIDS risk behaviors among late middle-aged and elderly Americans. The National AIDS Behavioral Surveys. Arch Intern Med 154:57-63
Turner, H A; Catania, J A; Gagnon, J (1994) The prevalence of informal caregiving to persons with AIDS in the United States: caregiver characteristics and their implications. Soc Sci Med 38:1543-52
Peterson, J L; Catania, J A; Dolcini, M M et al. (1993) Data from the National AIDS Behavioral Surveys. III. Multiple sexual partners among blacks in high-risk cities. Fam Plann Perspect 25:263-7

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