Perfil da atividade sexual dos idosos de Pelotas

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the sexual profile and its variables of the Pelotas population with sixty years or more. Methods: Five hundred fify-one individuals aged sixty years or older were recruited in Pelotas for a cross-sectional study concerning their sexual practices. A standardized questionnaire was administered to all study participants. The most relevant sex behavior-related questions were regarding the number of sexual partners, sexual frequency, condom usage and STD diagnosis over the last year. Data analysis was performed with SPSS+ using Pearson´s Chi-square and linear-by-linear association tests. Results: The findings in sexual behavior prevalence in this age group were 41.6% last year. The 32.6% which comprises the majority of the elders claimed to have had sexual intercourse more than once a week. A vast majority of the target population (95.9%), nonetheless, reported having had just one sexual partner. With regard to condom usage, a staggering 82.4% did not use condoms, whereas only 2.3% reported to have contracted a STD of some sort over the past year. This study showed that the female population comprises the majority of the elderly (63.2%). In contrast, the male population (68.2%) is the one who stays more sexually active plus 50% of them reports to have a steady partner. The prevalence of sexual intercourse shows a decreasing linear trend with each successive age group. Elders who cohabit with a steady partner are 6.6 times more likely to engage in sexual relations than widowers. Furthermore, active senior workers (68%) have more sexual intercourse than inactive ones whereas higher alcohol consumption lowers sexual behavior performance. Conclusions: The current study underlines that sexuality and its variables have been surrounded by countless taboos and myths across this age group. Therefore, all the data collected in this study calls for a greater awareness from the healthcare community as well as the population at large concerning the matter.