Abstract

CAMBAO, Mariana et al. QualiSex: study of the association between quality of life and sexuality in the elderly in Porto. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2019, vol.35, n.1, pp.12-20. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v35i1.11932.

Objectives: To characterize sexuality in elderly people of an urban area of Portugal and explore its relationship with quality of life. Type of study: Observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study, with analytical component. Local: Family Health Unit Ramalde, West Porto Group of Health Centres. Population: Patients enrolled in the Family Health Unit Ramalde, aged 65 years or over. Methods: A random sample was obtained using the electronic tool available at www.random.org. The sample size was calculated using OpenEpi®. Users were invited to participate in the study by telephone. For those who agreed to participate, a personal interview was organised using a questionnaire structured in two parts: one prepared by researchers (sociodemographic variables and variables related to sexuality); another corresponding to the SF-12 questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics, using the SPSS® v. 24 program. Results: The sample included 213 users, mostly women (59.2%), with a mean age of 73 years (standard deviation=5.96). Half of the users had active sex life (mostly men) and 75% reported being satisfied with their sex life. Males attributed a greater importance to their sex life. There was an association between an active sex life and some dimensions of the SF-12 in both genders. Women's satisfaction with their sex life was associated to the ‘mental health’ dimension. Conclusion: This pioneering study focused on a topic that has been neglected. The importance of sexuality in an age that is sometimes considered ‘asexual’ has been demonstrated, as well as its impact on the quality of life, thus reinforcing the relevance of addressing these issues in primary care consultations.

Keywords : Aged; Quality of life; Sexuality.

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