Sexuality and ageing in palliative care environments? Breaking the (triple) taboo

Sexualidade como fator associado à qualidade de vida da pessoa idosa

Resumo Objetivo analisar a associação entre as vivências em sexualidade com as variáveis biossociodemográficas e a qualidade de vida de pessoas idosas. Métodos estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 1.922 pessoas idosas brasileiras, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de web survey. Utilizaram-se três instrumentos para a obtenção dos dados biossociodemográficos, da sexualidade e da qualidade de vida. A análise foi realizada com os testes de Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, correlação de Spearman e regressão linear multivariada, com método de entrada “inserir”, adotando Intervalo de Confiança de 95%. Resultados a avaliação geral da sexualidade esteve associada fortemente com estado civil (p<0,001); religião (p=0,001); não ter filhos (p<0,001); orientação sexual (p=0,008) e recebimento de orientações sobre sexualidade pelos profissionais de saúde (p=0,002). A sexualidade correlacionou-se de forma positiva e com diferentes magnitudes com todas as facetas de qualidade de vida (p<0,001). A análise de regressão demonstrou que todas as dimensões da sexualidade permaneceram associadas, positivamente, com qualidade de vida: ato sexual [β=0,154; IC95%=0,083-0,225; p<0,001]; relações afetivas [β=0,335; IC95%=0,263-0,407; p<0,001] e adversidades física e social [β=1,388; IC95%=1,206-1,571; p<0,001]. Conclusão e implicações para a prática: a sexualidade associou-se, significativamente, com algumas variáveis biossociodemográficas e esteve correlacionada, positivamente, com a qualidade de vida das pessoas idosas investigadas.

Sexuality as a factor associated with the quality of life of the elderly

Abstract Objective to analyze the association between experiences of sexuality with bio-socio-demographic variables and quality of life of elderly people. Methods cross-sectional study, developed with 1,922 Brazilian elderly people, whose data were collected through a web survey. Three instruments were used to obtain bio-socio-demographic data, sexuality and quality of life. The analysis was carried out with the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation and multivariate linear regression tests, with the “insert” input method, adopting a 95% confidence interval. Results the overall assessment of sexuality was strongly associated with marital status (p<0.001); religion (p=0.001); not having children (p<0.001); sexual orientation (p=0.008) and receiving guidance on sexuality from health professionals (p=0.002). Sexuality correlated positively and with different magnitudes with all facets of quality of life (p<0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated that all dimensions of sexuality remained positively associated with quality of life: sexual act [β=0.154; 95%CI=0.083-0.225; p<0.001]; affective relationships [β=0.335; 95%CI=0.263-0.407; p<0.001] and physical and social adversity [β=1.388; 95%CI=1.206-1.571; p<0.001]. Conclusion and implications for practice sexuality was significantly associated with some bio-socio-demographic variables and positively correlated with the quality of life of the elderly people investigated.

Sexual function positively correlated with older adults' sexuality and quality of life

OBJECTIVES

to analyze sexual function and its correlation with sexuality and quality of life in male older adults.

METHODS

a cross-sectional study, developed with 231 male older adults. Participants completed four instruments to obtain biosociodemographic data, sexual function, sexuality and quality of life. Analyzes were performed using the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman Correlation.

RESULTS

sexual function was positively correlated with sexuality in a moderate magnitude and with quality of life in a low magnitude. Male older adults without sexual dysfunction experienced their sexuality better and had a better quality of life. Finally, partner overall satisfaction was the facet of sexual function that had the highest positive correlation with sexuality, while self-confidence had the highest positive correlation with quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

we suggest that sexual function should be addressed more frequently in Primary Health Care services, as we found statistically significant correlations with sexuality and quality of life components.

Função sexual positivamente correlacionada com a sexualidade e qualidade de vida do idoso

RESUMO Objetivos: analisar a função sexual e sua correlação com a sexualidade e com a qualidade de vida de homens idosos. Métodos: estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 231 homens idosos. Os participantes preencheram quatro instrumentos para obtenção dos dados biosociodemográficos, função sexual, sexualidade e qualidade de vida. Realizaram-se as análises com o Teste de Mann-Whitney e Correlação de Spearman. Resultados: a função sexual esteve positivamente correlacionada com a sexualidade em moderada magnitude e com a qualidade de vida em fraca magnitude. Os homens idosos sem disfunções sexuais melhor vivenciaram sua sexualidade e possuíram melhor qualidade de vida. Por fim, a satisfação geral do(a) parceiro(a) foi a faceta da função sexual que obteve maior correlação positiva com a sexualidade, enquanto que a autoconfiança apresentou maior correlação positiva com a qualidade de vida. Conclusões: sugerimos que a função sexual seja trabalhada com maior frequência nos serviços da Atenção Primária à Saúde, visto que encontramos correlações estatisticamente significantes com os componentes da sexualidade e da qualidade de vida.

Associação entre as vivências em sexualidade e características biosociodemográficas de pessoas idosas

RESUMO Objetivo analisar a associação entre as vivências em sexualidade e características biosociodemográficas de idosos. Método estudo transversal, desenvolvido com 3.740 idosos. Os participantes preencheram dois instrumentos para a obtenção das variáveis biosociodemográficas e sobre as vivências em sexualidade. Os dados foram analisados com os Testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis, com intervalo de confiança de 95% para todas as análises. Resultados houve predominância de participantes do sexo masculino (62,6%) e que nunca receberam orientações sobre sexualidade pelos profissionais de saúde (77,6%). As melhores vivências em sexualidade foram observadas entre os participantes do sexo masculino (p=0,002), com idade entre 60 e 74 anos (p<0,001), autodeclarados pardos (p<0,001), adeptos às religiões de origens africanas (p<0,001), que possuem parceria fixa (p<0,001), que convivem com o cônjuge por tempo igual ou inferior a cinco anos (p<0,001), que não possuem filhos (p<0,001), e os homossexuais (p<0,001). Conclusão e implicações para a prática todas as variáveis biosociodemográficas se associaram significativamente com, pelo menos, uma dimensão da escala de sexualidade. Nesse sentido, os profissionais de saúde terão evidências científicas e atuais das variáveis que mais necessitam de atenção no cuidado ao idoso no que diz respeito à sua sexualidade.

Relationship between family functionality and the quality of life of the elderly

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the correlation between family functionality and the quality of life of the elderly.

METHOD

Sectional and correlational study conducted with 692 Brazilian elderly between July and October 2020. The elderly filled three instruments: biosociodemographic, family APGAR and WHOQOL-Old. The tests Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analyzed the data. The study considered a 95% confidence interval (p < 0.05) for all analyses.

RESULTS

The elderly with mild and severe family dysfunction presented worse quality of life when compared to the elderly with a functional family. All facets of quality of life correlated positively with family functionality.

CONCLUSION

Family functionality is positively correlated with the quality of life of the elderly, therefore requiring the inclusion of the family in health care plans to identify potential family stressors early and plan interventions to solve the problems raised.

Experiences and opinions of nurses working in psychiatric wards on assessing patients' sexual health: A qualitative study

PURPOSE

To determine the experiences and opinions of nurses working in psychiatric wards regarding the assessment of patients' sexual health.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A qualitative, interpretative phenomenological design was used. Purposeful, snowball sampling identified eight nurses. Data were collected online through in-depth, individual interviews, and analyzed with Colaizzi's seven-step method.

FINDINGS

The nurses' experiences and opinions were grouped under three themes: challenges, requirements, and opportunities. The theme of challenges was divided into attitude and environment; the requirements theme was divided into training, self-knowledge, and procedural arrangements; the opportunities theme was divided into awareness.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Psychiatric nurses should know their sexual values and integrate personal/professional values. Institutions should train nurses in assessment' importance and scope and establish procedures/guidelines, supporting sexual health assessments.

A Pilot Study on the Quality of Sexual Life of Patients Receiving Home Palliative Care in Poland

Background: Quality of life, physical, psychic, and social functioning assessments in patients suffering from chronic, progressive, and incurable diseases are one of the most significant aims of the palliative care home teams. Sexuality and intimacy can be one of the most important elements of a person’s life, even at the end of it. Unfortunately, there is very little interest in this topic among medical staff of palliative care units. The objective of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the health status, the quality of life, the quality of sexual life, and the recognition and resolution of sexual problems by the palliative care team in adult patients in the advanced stage of terminal illness, who were receiving home palliative care. Research methods: The study involved 342 adult patients in the advanced stage of incurable, progressive disease, covered by home palliative care in 15 facilities in Poland. A generic EuroQoL 5-Dimension 3-Level health and quality of life assessment questionnaire and a questionnaire developed by the researchers, including questions about sexual problems, were used in this prospective study. Results: The presented results are the part of the more extensive study. The assessment of health status and quality of life of the study patients showed that the evaluation was the lowest for performing ordinary daily activities. The quality of sexual life after diagnosis in more than half of the study patients has worsened. Almost half of the respondents felt that the palliative care team did not recognize or address their sexual concerns. Patients indicated nurses and physicians as the members of the palliative care team most helpful in identifying and addressing sexual concerns. Conclusions: Members of the palliative care team should receive training in communication with patients concerning their sexual life, their needs and expectations and have knowledge about options for obtaining specialized sexological care. It is necessary to prepare and validate simple tools that will facilitate the initiation of appropriate communication between patients and members of the medical staff. It will be important to conduct more detailed and targeted research on sexuality and intimacy in the Polish palliative care patient population.