ABSTRACT
Introducción: Aunque a nivel mundial se ha demostrado que la población adulta mayor mantiene una vida sexual activa, es limitada por estereotipos, cambios fisiológicos resultados del proceso de envejecimiento y la ausencia de estrategias de salud integral para la sexualidad. Objetivo: Documentar la experiencia sexual de los adultos mayores en el país y entender los motivos que promueven o limitan la búsqueda de atención en salud sexual. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo en el que se realizaron 39 entrevistas y 4 talleres virtuales con hombres y mujeres de 50 años y más en Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, sin excluir personas de otras ciudades. Resultados: Entre los principales hallazgos se evidencia que la población adulta mayor tiene valoraciones positivas frente a la sexualidad y el sexo, pero su desarrollo se ve limitado, especialmente para las mujeres, por los roles de género. La sexualidad en las personas mayores está atravesada por la educación inicial, la transformación de ideas sobre la sexualidad a lo largo de sus trayectorias de vida, las transformaciones del cuerpo, el estado de salud, las prácticas y experiencias sexuales recientes y la manera en la que se aproximan a la dimensión salud sexual con profesionales de la salud. Conclusiones: La heterogeneidad de experiencias, prácticas y valores dados a la sexualidad y al sexo en la vejez requieren de la generación de políticas y programas de atención integral basadas en investigaciones empíricas que superen las concepciones edadistas de la sexualidad. Este estudio es una contribución a la literatura local sobre sexualidad y vejez, así como al diseño de servicios de atención de salud y bienestar de acuerdo con las necesidades, identidades y circunstancias específicas de la población adulta mayor en materia de sexualidad.
Introduction: Although worldwide has been demonstrated that the older adult population maintains an active sexual life, this is limited by stereotypes, physiological changes resulting from the aging process and the absence of comprehensive health strategies for sexuality. Objective: To document the sexual experience of older adults in the country and to understand the reasons that promote or limit the search for sexual healthcare. Methodology: Qualitative study. Thirty-nine interviews and four virtual workshops were conducted with men and women 50 years of age and older in Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, and Medellín, although people from other cities were not excluded. Results: Among the main findings, it is evident that this population has positive evaluations of sexuality and sex, but its development is limited, especially for women, by gender roles. Sexuality in the elderly is formed by their initial education, the transformation of ideas about sexuality throughout their life trajectories, the transformations of their bodies, their state of health, recent sexual practices and experiences, and the way in which they approach this topic with health professionals. Conclusions: The heterogeneity of experiences, practices and values given to sexuality and sex in old age require policies and programs based on empirical research that overcome the ageist conception of sexuality. This study is a contribution to the national literature on sexuality and aging, and to the design of health care and well-being services according to the specific needs, identities and circumstances of the older adult population in terms of sexuality.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Migration should not put at risk the achievements of SDG 3: Universal Access to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, particularly access to contraceptive methods for Venezuelan migrants in receiving countries such as Colombia. Each year, more than 2 million men and women have access to modern contraceptive methods in Colombia. However, amid the pandemic, disruptions in supply chains, the interruption of essential services for sexual and reproductive health, and social inequalities may jeopardize these gains in contraception among Venezuelan migrants and refugees. The measurement of inequalities focuses on identifying the epicenter of inequity that is particularly relevant within the humanitarian response under strain. The objective of this article is to identify inequalities in access to contraception services among the migrant and refugee populations in six cities that concentrate 70% of the Venezuelan migration into Colombia and to discuss the challenges they represent for future emergencies. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We used a cross-sectional, descriptive study that included a mixed research approach (quantitative and qualitative analyses) based on three activities: i) analysis of contraceptive care records for the period 2018-2019; ii) measurement of inequalities in access to contraceptive services, and iii) design and implementation of twelve focus groups among Venezuelan migrants and refugees for discussion. RESULTS: Despite the evidence of a 70% increase in the use of contraceptive services among Venezuelan migrants between 2018 and 2019, there are absolute and relative inequalities in access to contraceptive methods both in the migrant and refugee populations versus the host population. The inequalities are mainly explained by the demographic dependency rate and the lack of job opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of essential sexual and reproductive health services to migrant and host populations must be regular, continuous, and shielded so that under no circumstances is it interrupted neither for infectious disease outbreaks to climate change emergencies in the future.
