Sexual activity and satisfaction in older adults from a Brazilian cohort study

Objectives: Although the majority of older adults experience sexual satisfaction regardless of their sexual activity, there are few studies that address sexuality in aging, especially in Latin America. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of sexual activity and satisfaction among older adults in two time-points, as well as their sociodemographic and health predictors.Method: We analyze data from 1,464 older adults aged 60 years or over from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging (SABE) cohort study conducted in Brazil. Multivariable regression models were used to determinate the factors associated with sexual activity and sexual satisfaction, stratified by gender. Results: Among older adults, the prevalence of sexual activity was 48%, while the vast majority reported feeling sexually satisfied (80%). Men had more sexual activity than women, while women presented greater sexual satisfaction than men. After the follow-up, older adults that were married were more likely to have sexual activity. In women, being older than 71 years was associated with lower sexual activity. In men, those with mobility problems and depression were less likely to have sexual activity. Regarding sexual satisfaction, having depression remained a leading factor for lower sexual satisfaction in men.Conclusion: Despite beliefs, a high percentage of older adults reported being sexually active and feeling sexually satisfied. Our results highlight the gender difference in the predictors of sexual activity and sexual satisfaction. Since sexuality is important for well-being throughout life, preventing factors that decrease sexual activity and sexual satisfaction in aging could help improve the quality of life of older adults.

Male condom and dual protection use by adolescent men in Brazil / Uso de preservativo masculino e dupla proteção por homens adolescentes no Brasil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of male condoms and dual protection by Brazilian adolescent men, as well as their associated aspects. METHODS: A database from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) was used for this national cross-sectiotabelnal school-based research. The sample included adolescents of both sexes, aged between 12 and 17 years old, selected through cluster sampling in 2014 (n = 75,060). This study analyzed information from adolescent men who reported having had sexual intercourse (n = 12,215). The dependent variables were the use of male condoms and the use of dual protection (simultaneous use of male condoms and oral hormonal contraceptives) in the last sexual intercourse. Data were analyzed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Most adolescents used a male condom in the last sexual intercourse, while the use of double protection was quite low. The use of male condoms, reported by 71% (95%CI 68.7-73.1), was positively associated with age, living with both parents, and having used alcohol in the previous 30 days. The use of double protection, reported by 3.6% (95%CI 2.8-4.5) was positively associated with age and studying in a private school, as well as negatively associated with tobacco use in the previous 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: The wide difference shown in the proportion of condom or dual protection use in the last sexual intercourse draws attention to the different logics that govern juvenile sexual relations. The low proportion of dual protection use may be a reflection of men's lack of knowledge about a function that has historically been attributed to women, which is contraception. Thus, one must deconstruct such dichotomy that the sphere of sexuality is of the domain/interest of men, while that of reproduction concerns only women.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar o uso de preservativo masculino e de dupla proteção por homens adolescentes brasileiros, bem como os aspectos associados. MÉTODOS: Utilizou-se banco de dados do Estudo de Riscos Cardiovasculares em Adolescentes (ERICA) para este estudo transversal nacional de base escolar. A amostra incluiu adolescentes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 12 e 17 anos de idade, selecionados por meio de amostragem por conglomerados, em 2014 (n = 75.060). O presente estudo analisou informações dos homens adolescentes que relataram já ter tido relação sexual (n = 12.215), tendo como variáveis dependentes o uso de preservativo masculino e o uso de dupla proteção (uso simultâneo de preservativo masculino e contraceptivo hormonal oral) na última relação sexual. Os dados foram analisados por meio de regressão logística univariada e múltipla. RESULTADOS: A maior parte dos adolescentes usou preservativo masculino na última relação sexual, enquanto o uso de dupla proteção foi bastante baixo. O uso de preservativo masculino, referido por 71% (IC95% 68,7-73,1), associou-se positivamente à idade, a coabitar com ambos os pais e a ter usado álcool nos 30 dias anteriores. O uso de dupla proteção, referido por 3,6% (IC95% 2,8-4,5) associou-se positivamente à idade e a estudar em escola privada e negativamente ao uso de tabaco nos 30 dias anteriores. CONCLUSÕES: A larga diferença apresentada na proporção de uso de preservativo ou de dupla proteção na última relação sexual chama atenção para as distintas lógicas que presidem as relações sexuais juvenis. A baixa proporção aqui encontrada de uso da dupla proteção pode ser reflexo do desconhecimento masculino sobre uma função que tem sido historicamente atribuída às mulheres, que é a contracepção. Dessa forma, é necessário desconstruir a dicotomia de que a esfera da sexualidade é de domínio/interesse dos homens enquanto a da reprodução concerne apenas às mulheres.

Individual and context correlates of the oral pill and condom use among Brazilian female adolescents

Background Studies have examined the impact of contextual factors on the use of contraceptives among adolescents and found that many measures of income and social inequality are associated with contraceptive use. However, few have focused on maternal and primary health indicators and its influence on adolescent contraceptive use. This paper assesses whether maternal mortality rates, antenatal care visits, and primary healthcare coverage are associated with pill and condom use among female adolescents in Brazil. Methods We used data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a national, school-based cross-sectional study conducted in Brazil. A subsample of all female adolescents who had ever had sexual intercourse and were living in one of the 26 State capitals and the Federal District was selected (n = 7415). Multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models were estimated to examine the effect of contextual variables on pill and condom use. Results Sixty-five percent of female adolescents reported using pill while 21.9% reported using condom during the last sexual intercourse. Adolescents living in municipalities with low maternal mortality and high antenatal care coverage were significantly more likely to use pill during the last sexual intercourse compared to those from municipalities with high maternal mortality and low antenatal care coverage. Primary healthcare coverage (proportion of the population covered by primary healthcare teams) was not significantly associated with either condom or pill use during the last sexual intercourse. Conclusion Our findings suggest that promoting the use of pill among female adolescents may require approaches to strengthen healthcare systems rather than those focused solely on individual attributes.