Auto‐avaliação da sexualidade em mulheres idosas frequentadoras de um ambulatório de geriatria e instituição de longa permanência

Abstract

Introduction : Physiological changes occur with aging. The effect of this process also affects sexuality, which is influenced by physical and mental health. Thus, the perception has their own sexuality in the elderly reflects on self-esteem and quality of life. Objective : Self-rated sexuality of older women attending the outpatient geriatric service at the Hospital São Lucas and Sociedade Porto Alegrense de Auxílio aos Necessitados (SPAAN). Methods : Cross-sectional study, consisting of 78 women aged 60 years or more, divided in two groups of 39. We applied a questionnaire with socio-economic and age questions, self-perceived health status and use of drugs, knowledge about their sexuality, body image, importance and relevance of sexuality, sexual vision, family and femininity. We used the Student t test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) one-way chi-square test and Spearman correlation coefficient. The significance level was 5%. Results : The mean age of participants was 67.9 ± 6.6 years for the group PUCRS and 78.8 ± 8.1 years for the group SPAAN (p <0.001). Sexuality was important in 24 (61.5%) women PUCRS where 29 (76.3%) of this group consider themselves sexy. In group SPAAN 34 (85.5%) women do not think of sexuality (p = 0.002) and 11 (45.8%) of this group unmarried conceptualized sexuality as different levels of expression and affection, not just intercourse. Conclusion : The elderly PUCRS value her sexuality and consider themselves sexy, while women's SPAAN not think of sexuality, but the single valued expressions of affection and not just intercourse.