Changes and Forms of Sexual Behaviour in old age: A Qualitative Study of Older People in Southeastern Nigeria

The misconceptions that old age is an asexual phase of human life has been challenged by increasing empirical evidence which shows that sexual activity persists in old age albeit in different forms and frequency. This study examined how a group of older people in southeastern Nigeria express their sexual behaviour. The semi-structured individual interviews with 14 older people (9 male, 5 female) aged 60?89 years were conducted using an exploratory qualitative approach. The data generated were analysed thematically, and two themes were conceptualised including diverse sexual behaviour and mutual understanding. These themes supported a pattern among the participants where there is a drop in the frequency of physical sexual behaviour but their sexual interests were described to be more stable. However, the sexual interest is channelled into more intimate sexual behaviour. Thus, sexual behaviours in later life in this study were not declining but showed diversity and modifications; most have adjusted to incorporate more emotional bonding and caring. More so, what forms of sexual behaviour constitute for these older partners are often linked to the presence of dynamic interplay of influencing factors ingrained on the level of the older partners mutuality in understanding and responding to theencroaching age-related changes in their sexual behaviour. Remarkably, these factors could be controlled, which signposts a potential premise and point of policy and practical intervention to promote healthy sexual behaviour in later life.

Sexualidade como fator associado à qualidade de vida da pessoa idosa

Resumo Objetivo analisar a associação entre as vivências em sexualidade com as variáveis biossociodemográficas e a qualidade de vida de pessoas idosas. Métodos estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 1.922 pessoas idosas brasileiras, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de web survey. Utilizaram-se três instrumentos para a obtenção dos dados biossociodemográficos, da sexualidade e da qualidade de vida. A análise foi realizada com os testes de Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, correlação de Spearman e regressão linear multivariada, com método de entrada “inserir”, adotando Intervalo de Confiança de 95%. Resultados a avaliação geral da sexualidade esteve associada fortemente com estado civil (p<0,001); religião (p=0,001); não ter filhos (p<0,001); orientação sexual (p=0,008) e recebimento de orientações sobre sexualidade pelos profissionais de saúde (p=0,002). A sexualidade correlacionou-se de forma positiva e com diferentes magnitudes com todas as facetas de qualidade de vida (p<0,001). A análise de regressão demonstrou que todas as dimensões da sexualidade permaneceram associadas, positivamente, com qualidade de vida: ato sexual [β=0,154; IC95%=0,083-0,225; p<0,001]; relações afetivas [β=0,335; IC95%=0,263-0,407; p<0,001] e adversidades física e social [β=1,388; IC95%=1,206-1,571; p<0,001]. Conclusão e implicações para a prática: a sexualidade associou-se, significativamente, com algumas variáveis biossociodemográficas e esteve correlacionada, positivamente, com a qualidade de vida das pessoas idosas investigadas.

Sexuality as a factor associated with the quality of life of the elderly

Abstract Objective to analyze the association between experiences of sexuality with bio-socio-demographic variables and quality of life of elderly people. Methods cross-sectional study, developed with 1,922 Brazilian elderly people, whose data were collected through a web survey. Three instruments were used to obtain bio-socio-demographic data, sexuality and quality of life. The analysis was carried out with the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression tests, with the “insert” input method, adopting a 95% confidence interval. Results the overall assessment of sexuality was strongly associated with marital status (p<0.001); religion (p=0.001); not having children (p<0.001); sexual orientation (p=0.008) and receiving guidance on sexuality from health professionals (p=0.002). Sexuality correlated positively and with different magnitudes with all facets of quality of life (p<0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated that all dimensions of sexuality remained positively associated with quality of life: sexual act [β=0.154; 95%CI=0.083-0.225; p<0.001]; affective relationships [β=0.335; 95%CI=0.263-0.407; p<0.001] and physical and social adversity [β=1.388; 95%CI=1.206-1.571; p<0.001]. Conclusion and implications for practice sexuality was significantly associated with some bio-socio-demographic variables and positively correlated with the quality of life of the elderly people investigated.

Sexual function and its association with sexuality and quality of life in older women

Abstract Objective to analyze the sexual function and its association with the sexuality and quality of life of elderly women. Methods this is a cross-sectional web survey study developed with 166 elderly women. Four self-administered instruments were used to obtain biosociodemographic, sexual function, sexuality and quality of life data. The analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation and linear regression, considering a 95% confidence interval. Results the greatest influence of sexual function was observed in the sexual act dimension of sexuality (β=0.524; [95%CI=0.451-0.597]; p<0.001; R2=54.8%) and between the intimacy facet of quality of life (β =0.501; [95%CI=0.380-0.622]; p<0.001; R2=29.0%). In general, the regression model showed that sexual function remained associated with sexuality (β=0.888; [CI95%=0.749-1.028]; p<0.001; R2=49.1%) and the quality of life of the participants (β=0.352; [CI95%=0.264-0.439]; p<0.001; R2=27.7%). Conclusion and implications for the practice sexual function is associated with the sexuality and quality of life of older women, assuming a directly proportional behavior which, in turn, can become a strategy to add quality to the additional years of life of this population.

Função sexual e sua associação com a sexualidade e a qualidade de vida de mulheres idosas

Resumo Objetivo analisar a função sexual e sua associação com a sexualidade e com a qualidade de vida de mulheres idosas. Método trata-se de um estudo transversal, do tipo web survey, desenvolvido com 166 mulheres idosas. Foram utilizados quatro instrumentos autoaplicáveis para a obtenção dos dados biosociodemográficos, da função sexual, sexualidade e qualidade de vida. A análise foi realizada com o teste de Mann-Whitney, correlação de Spearman e regressão linear, considerando um intervalo de confiança de 95%. Resultados a maior influência da função sexual foi observada na dimensão ato sexual da sexualidade (β=0,524; [IC95%=0,451-0,597]; p<0,001; R2=54,8%) e entre a faceta intimidade da qualidade de vida (β=0,501; [IC95%=0,380-0,622]; p<0,001; R2=29,0%). De modo geral, o modelo de regressão demonstrou que a função sexual permaneceu associada à sexualidade (β=0,888; [IC95%=0,749-1,028]; p<0,001; R2=49,1%) e à qualidade de vida das participantes (β=0,352; [IC95%=0,264-0,439]; p<0,001; R2=27,7%). Conclusão e implicações para a prática a função sexual está associada à sexualidade e à qualidade de vida das mulheres idosas, assumindo comportamento diretamente proporcional que, por sua vez, pode se tornar uma estratégia para agregar qualidade aos anos adicionais de vida dessa população.

CORRELATIONAL ANALYSIS BETWEEN ELDERLY PEOPLE’S SEXUALITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the correlation between the experiences of elderly people’s sexuality and quality of life. Method: this is a sectional, descriptive and analytical study carried out with 592 elderly people living in northeastern Brazil. Data were collected exclusively online through Facebook, between August and October 2020. The Affective and Sexual Experiences Scale for Elderly was used to assess sexuality and the World Health Organization Quality of Life - Old to assess quality of life. Non-parametric statistics were used through the Mann-Whitney test, Spearman and Kruskal-Wallis correlations with application of Bonferroni correlation when necessary, with 95% confidence interval (p<0.05) for all statistical analyses. Results: there was a predominance of male elderly (60.5%), aged between 60 and 64 years (44.6%) and who had never received guidance on sexuality by healthcare professionals (75.8%). The best correlations found were positive between “intimacy” with “sexual activity” (ρ=0.561; p<0.001) and “affective relationships” (ρ=0.626; p<0.001). Conclusion: it was found that the dimensions “sexual activity” and “affective relationships” of sexuality had the best positive correlations with the “intimacy” facet of elderly people’s quality of life. In this sense, it is evident that healthcare professionals can adopt approaches with these dimensions in their consultations as a way to promote and protect elderly people’s quality of life, thus fulfilling the proposal of active aging.

Sexuality and the Human Rights of Persons With Dementia

We explore barriers to enjoyment of human rights to sexuality of persons with dementia and remedies for addressing these. Enjoyment of sexuality is contingent upon actualization of rights to dignity, autonomy, respect for will and preferences, abuse safeguarding and equitable access to highest standards of sexual health. Persons with dementia living at home or in care face systemic barriers to enjoyment of sexuality fueled by ageism, apathy and ignorance, compounded by complex legal barriers in relation to consent. Such challenges can be tackled with awareness raising and education of care staff, families and physicians, including training for capacity assessment with dimensional, noncategorical conceptualization of capacity, leaving room for supported decision-making. These measures, together with strengthened legislative and human rights frameworks to cater to the specific needs of older people, may allow people to live well with dementia and exercise their human rights to enjoy sexuality in a safe and lawful manner.

Sífilis adquirida na população de 50 anos ou mais

Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de sífilis adquirida na população ≥50 anos residente em Santa Catarina, sua distribuição geográfica e tendência no período 2013-2018.Métodos: estudo ecológico exploratório, analisando dados na plataforma virtual da Diretoria de Vigilância Epidemiológica, relativos às notificações de sífilis na população catarinense com ≥50 anos, sendo a faixa etária dividida em quatro grupos: 50-59 anos, 60-69 anos, 70-79 anos e ≥80 anos.Resultados: a taxa de ocorrência de sífilis na população estudada aumentou de 18,2 para 110,7 casos /100.000 habitantes no período. O incremento foi observado em todas as faixas etárias a partir dos 50 anos e sexos, destacando-se a população de 50-59 anos. As maiores incidências foram verificadas nas macrorregiões Grande Florianópolis e Planalto Norte/Nordeste.Conclusão: houve crescimento exponencial do agravo no período 2013-2018, na população referida, para ambos os sexos, ocorrendo de forma diferenciada segundo macrorregião de saúde. Os resultados obtidos preocupam e merecem atenção da gestão pública.