PREVALENCE OF DEATHS IN ELDERLY PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME IN THE NORTHEAST REGION

Abstract

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a disease of the immune system caused by the retrovirus HIV ― from English, Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the present study aims to analyze the prevalence and cases of AIDS deaths in the elderly population in the Northeastern state, from 2015 to 2019. This is a descriptive study obtained from the Health Information System provided by TABNET, referring to elderly people with HIV/AIDS, who were notified in the northeast region in the period from 2015 to 2017. Thus, in the years 2015 and 2017, there were 76 deaths from the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) reported in the Northeast region of Brazil. Of these, 22 cases of deaths were related to the elderly population of Bahia, and the State of Alagoas had the lowest number, just 2 deaths. Regarding AIDS cases identified in the Northeast state, from 2015 to 2019, 1,204 cases of AIDS were reported. Absolutely, the states that reported the most were Bahia (233 cases), Pernambuco (224 cases), Maranhão (190 cases) and Ceará (185 cases). Based on above considerations, prevention campaigns aimed only at the elderly population, health professionals and caregivers unprepared  are necessary to provide information regarding sexuality and sexual practices for elderly people in the Federative Units and regions.