HIV testing and Sexual Behavior among Older Thai Adults

a MiCDA Pilot Project Description

Funding: Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging

The objective of this study will be to examine factors related to the use of HIV testing and sexual behavior among Thai men and women age 40-59. HIV testing is available in Thailand, but men and women in this age group have not been targeted for outreach.

The specific aims of this study are to:
1. The examine differences in AIDS knowledge and stigma between younger and older adults in Thailand,
2. To examine the differences in sexual behavior among younger and older adults,
3. To examine the association of demographic, knowledge, and relationship factors including characteristics of partners on the sexual risk behaviors of older adults,
4. To examine the influence of alcohol use and use of other drugs on risk behaviors of other adults,
5. To examine norms and contextual factors related to risk taking among Thai males and females.

The specific aims of the study will be accomplished through analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data for the study will be drawn from the National Survey of HIV/AIDS Risk Behaviors and ART Knowledge, a national, probability sample of 6,000 Thai adults conducted in 2006. Qualitative data will be obtained through 40 in-depth interviews with older Thai adults in Bangkok as well and other regions of Thailand.