Sexualidade na terceira idade: conhecimento e comportamento de idosos residentes em um município de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Resumo: O estudo objetivou identificar comportamentos sexuais e conhecimento de idosos sobre doenças sexualmente transmissíveis. Pesquisa quantitativa e descritiva com idosos em Montes Claros, MG. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário. Dos 153 idosos pesquisados, 96 (63%) apresentaram parceria sexual fixa; 88 (57,5%) não tiveram relação sexual nos últimos seis meses; 120 (78,5%) não realizaram teste para HIV; 98 (64%) fizeram uso de preservativo na última relação sexual. O conhecimento dos idosos pesquisados sobre doenças sexualmente transmissíveis é deficiente, principalmente frente à baixa utilização de preservativos como forma de prevenção, estando com riscos aumentados às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis.Descritores: Idosos, Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis, Comportamento SexualSexuality in old age: knowledge and behavior of elderly residents in a municipality of Minas GeraisAbstract: The study aimed to identify sexual behaviors and knowledge of the elderly on sexually transmitted diseases. Quantitative and descriptive research with seniors in Montes Claros, MG. The data were collected through a questionnaire. Of the 153 seniors surveyed, 96 (63%) presented a fixed sexual partnership; 88 (57.5%) have not had sexual intercourse in the past six months; 120 (78.5%) not performed testing for HIV; 98 (64%) made use of a condom at last intercourse. Knowledge of seniors surveyed about sexually transmitted diseases is deficient, especially vis-à-vis the low use of condoms as a means of prevention, and with increased risks of sexually transmitted diseases.Descriptors: Aged, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Sexual BehaviorSexualidad en la vejez: conocimiento y comportamento de las personas mayores que viven en un municipio de Minas GeraisResumen: El estudio pretende identificar los comportamientos sexuales y el conocimiento de las personas mayores en enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Investigación cuantitativa y descriptiva con las personas mayores en Montes Claros, MG. Los datos fueron recogidos a través de un cuestionario. De las 153 personas mayores encuestados, 96 (63%) presentó una asociación sexual fija; 88 (57,5%) no ha tenido relaciones sexuales en los últimos seis meses; 120 (78.5%) no realizada pruebas del VIH; 98 (64%) hizo uso de un condón en el último coito. Conocimiento de los estudiantes encuestados sobre enfermedades de transmisión sexual es deficiente, especialmente à frente el bajo uso del preservativo como medio de prevención y aumentado los riesgos de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Conclusión: Contribuye a la generalización del conocimiento, es importante para la práctica, la formación y la investigación en enfermería.Descriptores: Anciano, Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual, Conducta Sexual

Sexuality of elderly people participating in a cohabitation center / Sexualidade de idosos participantes de um centro de convivência

“…When comparing the results according to the sex of the participants, differences were observed, since among men, most had had sex and women had not. 4 Another aspect to be considered is that we identified a high percentage of widowers in this study (51.6%). This characteristic may be a contributing factor to the decline of sex life, as these are common external occurrences in old age.…”

“…Studies report that women live longer than men because of differences in risk exposure as external causes, in addition to having greater access to health services. 4,8 However, women generally have greater difficulties in sexual relations due to hormonal changes resulting from the aging process, such as vaginal dryness and reduced libido, which favor abandonment of sexual practices, which could explain the fact that most participants in this study do not have an active sexual life.…”

“…Among the elderly with an active sexual life, the majority reported having only one fixed partner, a characteristic also found in other investigations. 4,13 This finding is important since the individual who has a fixed partner reduces the risks of exposure to STIs, since epidemiological studies show that the multiplicity of partners constitutes a risk factor for the contagion of diseases conveyed by sex. 14 Regarding the frequency of sexual activity, a large part of them reported a frequency of up to twice a week, stating that this frequency satisfies them, classifying their sexual life as good.…”

“…1 With respect to the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), one study found that 10.8% of the elderly reported using some method, the male condom.1 Another study concluded that the elderly' knowledge of STIs and contraceptive methods is deficient. 4 The dissemination of information on prevention methods is suppressed, since sexuality in the elderly is still a subject with taboos and prejudices. Moreover, there is difficulty in the elderly population to use contraceptive methods, since men believe that condoms hinder the erection, and women, because they do not get pregnant due to the hormonal changes that old age brings, believe that they no longer need to prevent themselves, becoming vulnerable to STI.…”

“…Moreover, there is difficulty in the elderly population to use contraceptive methods, since men believe that condoms hinder the erection, and women, because they do not get pregnant due to the hormonal changes that old age brings, believe that they no longer need to prevent themselves, becoming vulnerable to STI. 4 Human sexuality is still today considered a little explored area of research, and the number of researches on the subject associated to senescence are incipient. 5 The Ministry of Health points out the need and the challenge of dealing with sexuality in the elderly, due not only to the aging population, but also because it is a relevant aspect for the quality of life of this age group.…”