EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HIV CASES IN BRAZILIAN MEN AGED 50 TO 79, BEFORE AND AFTER THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF SILDENAFIL CITRATE FROM 1986 TO 2010

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a public health issue in Brazil and worldwide, with millions of deaths recorded to date. The increase in HIV infection among individuals over 50 years old has grown in recent decades, mainly due to the valorization of middle-aged and elderly populations. They are now seen not just as individuals capable of performing tasks associated with advanced age, but also as desirable and sexually active individuals. With the marketing of sildenafil citrate in Brazil, commonly known as Viagra, this demographic target became more exposed to unprotected sexual practices and an increased number of sexual partners due to the medication's performance enhancement. Thus, it is questioned whether the introduction of Viagra has led to an increase in HIV cases in this population.