PURPOSE: To verify the association between knowledge of Aids, sexual activity and social-demographic conditions in aged participants of a permanent education program at Brazil Northeast University. METHOD: Cross-sectional study, carried through from March to July 2006, included a sample of 165 aged people, by a simple non randomized sampling. Data collection was made with a half-structuralized interview. Aids knowledge was the dependent variable and included concept of illness, prevention, transmission, etiological agent, existence of treatment and cure impossibility. Socio-demographic data and sexual activity corresponded to the independent variable. For statistical analysis, with SPSS software, version 13.0, Pearson independence X² test and Kendall X² test were performed, adopting p< 0.05 for rejection of null hypothesis. RESULTS: Incomplete or incoherent answers of Aids knowledge and transmission corresponded to 71.5% and 52.7%, respectively. Condom use for prevention was reported by 56,9%, approximately 66% referred treatment existence for Aids and 66.7%, absence of cure. The etiological agent was identified by 64%. Socio-demographic data and sexual activity data were: age 59.3% (60-69 years), schoolarship 72% (more than 9 years of study), civil status 34.5% (married), income 45.5% (2-4 minimum wages), 24.8% with sexual activity. There was significant association (p< 0.01) between Aids knowledge and scholar level. CONCLUSIONS: Although these results cannot be generalized for the aged population, one can assume that level of knowledge on Aids is still precarious and distinguished by scholar level.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Aged People Health; Information on Health; Elderly's Health