Sexual activity and help-seeking behaviours among older persons in Chile: the impact of health practitioner's interventions and of older person's pers

Existing studies have highlighted that sexuality in later life has been overlooked and unspoken because
of prejudice and stereotypes. Where older adults have raised concerns about expose their sexual health,
the literature notes that they do not receive the guidance expected; meanwhile health providers consider
sexuality in later life as out of their scope and see themselves as without the knowledge and training
required.
This study investigates how older adults' personal characteristics and health practitioners' interventions
impact upon older adults' sexual activity and help seeking behaviours in a Primary Health Care context in
Chile. Furthermore, this research will identify the strengths, weaknesses, enablers and barriers which
older people and health practitioners express when addressing sexual health issues. It will also examine
the correlations between older adults' personal characteristics, their sexual activity and help-seeking
behaviours, and the correlation between practitioners' approach such consultations and older adults'
sexual activity and help-seeking behaviours. This research has a cultural-specific approach by focusing
on a Latin American country where sexuality in old age is often consider a taboo topic, and where
literature from developed countries might be less applicable.
This study will use mixed methods, carrying out surveys and semi-structured interviews, to gather data
on the experiences of older adults and on the views of health practitioners over sexual activity and the
treatment of this topic in a primary health care setting. The study will directly contribute to the design of
policies and professional training for health professionals advising older persons on sexual matters.