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Differences in perceptions about sexuality in elderly. Cuenca – Ecuador

Abstract:

Background: In developing countries, attention towards the older adult, specifically when it involves its sex life. Lack of information about this subject gave place to the present research. Its purpose is to describe how sexuality in older adults is described in the Department of Social Services for the Elderly (DDSE) in the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Services (EISS), Cuenca-Ecuador. Materials and Methods: For data collection, an original questionnaire was used which was self-answered and it included personal information, current medication, medical comorbidities as well as items that made reference to sexuality perceptions. These were one-choice answers on a Likert scale of 5 levels. Results: A majority of the participants (55.9%) referred that they felt “satisfied” with their sexuality. Disease, fear of bad performance and communication issues as well as medical treatments were considered obstacles for sexuality enjoyment. Differences were found between sex in regards to frequency of sex (χ2=27,147; p<0,001) in which the answer “never” was given in its majority by women (19.9% vs 2.2% in men; (p<0.05). The older the interviewee, the more sexuality was perceived as an important area exclusively for youth. Conclusions: Age and gender in older adults have an important determinant factor over their sexuality. The older adult presents a more complex sexuality, which requires in-depth studies for a better understanding.