Social context, interaction and expectation play a role in alcohol use amongst Australian and Danish women aged 50 to 70 years.

In this study, researchers explored the relationship between alcohol use and life transitions among women aged 50 to 70 years in Australia and Denmark. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews of 49 women, with thematic analysis indicating that alcohol use is a normal and accepted activity among Australian and Danish women. Alcohol use was influenced by women's specific life transitions including their retirement status. Using alcohol as a crutch was not a legitimate story, but women found it acceptable to temporarily manage stress. The researchers provided insight to women's perceptions on drinking that may guide future international public health strategies for this group.

"Women of my age tend to drink": the social construction of alcohol use by Australian and Danish women aged 50-70 years.

In Australia and Denmark, women aged 50-70 years are more likely than younger women to consume alcohol at levels that exceed national low risk drinking guidelines. To explore and possibly help explain this sociocultural shift in patterns of alcohol use, this research investigated the social construction of alcohol use amongst 49 women (25 in Northern Denmark, 24 in Western Australia) aged 50-69 years. The women viewed drinking as normal and acceptable. While some women reported reducing their drinking due to health concerns, others neutralised alcohol-related health risks through compensatory behaviours including exercise. Such constructions arguably serve to sustain at-risk drinking amongst some women. Our research highlights that interventions to minimise alcohol-related health risks amongst middle-aged and young-old women should acknowledge that women's social construction of their drinking practices may prioritise subjective experiences of "being in control" while drinking, over biomedical understandings of the health impacts of alcohol.

Patients' experiences of sexuality as a taboo subject in the Danish healthcare system: a qualitative interview study.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is common in patients diagnosed with cancer or chronic disease, having psychological, emotional and social ramifications. The consequences are ultimately significant impaired quality of life and reduced mental well-being, and it therefore requires professional attention. However, evidence suggests that sexuality is a taboo subject in the healthcare system, as healthcare professionals and patients rarely initiate conversations on this subject. AIM: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand how patients diagnosed with cancer or chronic disease experiencing sexual dysfunction experience sexuality as a taboo subject in the healthcare system. METHODS: Ten women diagnosed with cancer or chronic disease experiencing sexual dysfunction were recruited from the Sexological Centre in Aalborg, Denmark. Using an interview guide, semi-structured interviews were conducted and a qualitative thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The analysis revealed that sexuality is a sensitive and taboo subject in the Danish healthcare system. Some patients initiated conversations about their sexuality, but felt rejected by healthcare professionals, who dismissed these initiatives, whereas other patients were reluctant to discuss sexuality, but did not experience healthcare professionals bringing up sexuality either. Despite these differences between patients' experiences, sexuality constituted a taboo subject, as patients or healthcare professionals deliberately avoided discussing the patients' sexuality-related issues. CONCLUSIONS: Communication about sexuality is essential for improving patients' well-being, and healthcare professionals should routinely address sexuality and sexual intimacy with patients diagnosed with cancer or chronic disease in order to break the taboo and accommodate patients' needs.