HIV não tem idade: vulnerabilidades associadas à vida sexual na velhice em Manaus – AM

Abstract

The title of this research is "HIV Has No Age: Vulnerabilities Associated with Sexual Life among Older Adults in Manaus and Amazonas". The issue guiding this study arises from the invisibility of sexuality in old age and the neglect of public policies in addressing the specificities of this group in relation to HIV. The central research question is: which vulnerabilities, within health policies and in the configuration of gender relations and sexuality shaped throughout life, contribute to exposing older adults in Manaus – AM to HIV infection in old age? The general objective was to investigate the vulnerabilities associated with HIV infection among older adults assisted by the Fundação de Medicina Tropical Doutor Heitor Vieira Dourado (FMT-HVD), focusing on both health policy aspects and those related to gender relations and sexuality. The specific objectives were: (I) to outline the social and demographic reality of older adults living with HIV in Brazil, with emphasis on Amazonas, identifying social vulnerabilities that increased susceptibility to HIV infection; (II) to examine how gender relations constructed throughout life influence the sexual experiences of older men and women in Manaus, contributing to their vulnerability to HIV; and (III) to analyze the expressions of sexuality of older adults living with HIV and assisted by FMT-HVD in Manaus, highlighting the extent to which health policies have promoted a sexually safe old age. Methodologically, the study is grounded in historical-dialectical materialism, which enables the analysis of social contradictions and reveals how old age, in a capitalist context, is stigmatized and marginalized, intersecting with gender relations that structure risk practices. This is an explanatory research with a predominantly qualitative approach, complemented by quantitative data, and developed through bibliographic, documentary, and field research. The fieldwork included 10 older adults diagnosed with HIV after the age of 60 (5 men and 5 women), 5 health professionals from FMT-HVD (physician, nurse, psychologist, social worker), 1 representative of the State Coordination of STIs/HIV/Aids in Amazonas, and 1 member of the civil society Forum OSC/IST/HIV/Aids/HV and TB. The results indicate that social gender relations and learning shape specific vulnerabilities among elderly men and women. The taboo surrounding sexuality, especially in old age, leads to the erasure of the unique sexual experiences of elderly people, frequently disregarded in care practices and public policies, resulting in late care, absence of targeted campaigns, precarious sexual education, thus crystallizing a negligent environment towards the sexual health of the elderly population.