%0 Journal Article
%T "I Don't Believe That One": A Qualitative Study of Undetectable = Untransmittable Views Among Older Adults Living With HIV in South Carolina.
%A Addo PNO
%A Brown MJ
%A Nkwonta CA
%A Kaur A
%A James T
%A Qiao S
%J J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care
%V 35
%N 2
%D 2024 Mar-Apr 1
%M 38949907
%F 1.809
%R 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000451
%X <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) means that people with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load have effectively zero risk of sexually transmitting the virus to others. However, research on how U = U is perceived by older adults living with HIV (OAH) is currently lacking. This study explored U = U views among OAH. From October 2019 to February 2020, we conducted open-ended interviews with 24 OAH recruited at an HIV clinic in South Carolina. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We employed thematic analysis in this study. Three themes emerged from the analysis: (a) Conflicting beliefs in U = U; (b) Use condoms regardless; and (c) Fear of HIV reinfection. Despite strong scientific evidence supporting U = U, some OAH do not believe in U = U. This lack of belief could deprive OAH of the benefits U = U offers. Therefore, it is vital to educate OAH about U = U to enhance their understanding and belief in U = U.