Evidence of Absence: Midlife and Older Adult Sexual Health Policy in Australia

Kirkman, Linda; Kenny, Amanda; Fox, Christopher

doi:10.1007/s13178-013-0109-6

Cited by 66 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Some participants reported negative or dismissive experiences with healthcare providers after requesting an STI test. As previous research has illustrated, healthcare providers are often reluctant to address issues of sexual health with older patients (Gott et al, 2004;Kirkman et al, 2013). Our findings indicate the need for training and education for healthcare providers regarding sexual health in later life.…”

mentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Certainly, Gwen's comments reflect current evidence that safer sex education is targeted almost exclusively towards younger people (Kirkman et al, 2013).…”

Section: Barriers To Safer Sexmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, the dominant sexual and gendered sexual scripts that older people grew up with may restrain their ability to openly negotiate condom use or other safer sex practices in new sexual relationships (Altschuler & Rhee, 2015;Bateson et al, 2012;Nash et al, 2015;Zablotsky & Kennedy, 2003). Further, safer-sex campaigns and policy are typically targeted towards younger people (Bateson et al, 2012;Bourne & Minichiello, 2009;European Expert Group on Sexuality Education, 2016;Gedin & Resnick, 2014;Kirkman, Kenny & Fox, 2013;Nash et al, 2015). Health care professionals are often reticent to discuss sex per se with older patients (Gott et al, 2004;Grant & Ragsdale, 2008;Nash et al, 2015;Nusbaum, Singh, & Pyles, 2004) and older people often wait for their health care provider to initiate discussions on sex (Lindau et al, 2006;Nash et al, 2015;Nusbaum et al, 2004;Slinkard & Kazer, 2011).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Safer Sex in Later Life: Qualitative Interviews With Older Australians on Their Understandings and Practices of Safer Sex

Fileborn

Brown

Lyons

et al. 2017

The Journal of Sex Research

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Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are increasing in older cohorts in Western countries such as Australia, the U.K. and the U.S., suggesting a need to examine the safer sex knowledge and practices of older people. This article presents findings from 53 qualitative interviews from the study "Sex, Age & Me: a National Study of Sex and Relationships Among Australians aged 60+." Participants were recruited through an online national survey.We consider how participants understood "safer sex," the importance of safer sex to them, the safer sex practices they used (and the contexts in which they used them), and the barriers to using safer sex. Older adults had diverse understandings, knowledge, and use of safer sex practices, although participants tended to focus most strongly on condom use. Having safer sex was strongly mediated by relationship context, trust, perceived risk of contracting an STI, concern for personal health, and stigma. Common barriers to safer sex included erectile difficulties, embarrassment, stigma, reduced pleasure, and the lack of a safer sex culture among older people. The data presented has important implications for sexual health policy, practice, and education and health promotion campaigns aimed at improving the sexual health and wellbeing of older cohorts.

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mentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Certainly, Gwen's comments reflect current evidence that safer sex education is targeted almost exclusively towards younger people (Kirkman et al, 2013).…”

Section: Barriers To Safer Sexmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Safer Sex in Later Life: Qualitative Interviews With Older Australians on Their Understandings and Practices of Safer Sex

Fileborn

Brown

Lyons

et al. 2017

The Journal of Sex Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Further studies are needed to investigate this. However, current Australian federal policies promote sexual health to younger individuals and those of reproductive age as they are considered to be the most at risk for further complications (34). Given our data indicate networks of individuals comprising of varying ages, education on STI prevention may be more suited towards a broad range of age groups, including older ages and especially those engaging in new sexual relationships (35).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of whole genome sequencing to investigate an outbreak of gonorrhoea among females in urban New South Wales, Australia, 2012 to 2014

Buckley

Forde

Trembizki

et al. 2017

Preprint

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“…Currently, the majority of the limited STI testing promotion that occurs specifically targets youth. 13,14 In order to understand which older people would benefit most from these programs, data are needed on their testing and treatment histories.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-reported testing and treatment histories among older Australian men and women who may be at risk of a sexually transmissible infection

et al. 2017

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Background: Rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are increasing among older adults in many countries. Little is known about the testing and treatment histories of these populations. Correlates of testing in the past 5 years among older adults who may be at risk of a STI were examined. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2137 Australians aged 60+ years that involved questions on STIs and STI testing was conducted in 2015. To help inform potential education campaigns, analyses focused on those who may have been at risk of a STI (n = 805, 38%). Results: Less than one in three reported a STI test in the past 5 years (n = 241, 30%) while 6% (n = 51) reported a STI diagnosis. Those diagnosed typically received treatment from a family doctor or general practitioner. Among men, lower testing rates were associated with older age, identifying as heterosexual, lower educational attainment, not using online dating and reporting one partner in the past 5 years. For women, lower rates of testing were found among those who did not use a condom at their most recent sexual encounter and those with one partner in the past 5 years. Conclusions: STI testing rates were low. This study indicates that consideration should be given to the way targeted education campaigns are formulated, such as emphasising the importance of STI testing to older people who are at risk, as well as encouraging healthcare professionals to discuss sexual health with their older patients.

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Evidence of Absence: Midlife and Older Adult Sexual Health Policy in Australia

Cited by 66 publications

References 23 publications

Safer Sex in Later Life: Qualitative Interviews With Older Australians on Their Understandings and Practices of Safer Sex

Safer Sex in Later Life: Qualitative Interviews With Older Australians on Their Understandings and Practices of Safer Sex

Use of whole genome sequencing to investigate an outbreak of gonorrhoea among females in urban New South Wales, Australia, 2012 to 2014

Self-reported testing and treatment histories among older Australian men and women who may be at risk of a sexually transmissible infection

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