Sexual activity and risk-taking in later life

The primary study objective was to identify the prevalence of sexual activi ty and sexual risk-taking behaviour among a sample of older community-based adults. Secondary objectives included gathering data about past experience s of consultations regarding sexual health issues with general practitioner s (GPs) and at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, and exploring particip ants' STI and HIV/AIDS-related information needs. Individuals over the age of 50 were identified from four electoral wards within Sheffield, UK by mea ns of a postal screen based on the electoral register. Respondents self com pleted a short postal questionnaire. Three hundred and nineteen individuals aged over 50 years selected at random from the general population responde d. Approximately 80% of respondents were currently sexually active and 7% e ngaged in behaviours that may place them at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Risk takers were typically male, aged between 50 and 60 years and married. Being male was also related to reporting curre nt or past sexual health concerns. In total, of 75 respondents reporting su ch concerns, two thirds had discussed these concerns with their GP or atten ded a GUM clinic. Levels of satisfaction with such consultations were gener ally high, but declined with increasing age. Overall, most participants fel t they had not received very much information about STIs and HIV, and about one quarter reported that they would like to receive more information an t hese topics. These data have implications for all health and social care pr ofessional who work with older people and indicate a potential need for edu cation to help professionals meet the sexual health needs of their older pa tients/clients, Further implications for sexual health promotion and the ne ed for additional research in this field are also discussed.