Sexo e sexualidade na terceira idade: um estudo com idosas participantes de um grupo no município de Cuité -PB.

Abstract

Sexuality is the human dimension that is present in all existencial trajectory and can be lived of different ways during life, manifesting through body expression. However, it is permeated by miths and taboos, mainly when it is related to elderly because most of the times they follow patterns that do not allow to live this sexuality. The objectives of the study were to analyze the importance of sexual activity for the quality of life of the elderly members of the Joy of Living Group, in Cuité borough, in Paraíba; trace the socialdemographic and sexual profile of the elderlies; identify the elderlies’ knowledge about sex, sexuality and quality of life; and verify the relation between sexual activity and quality of life beneath their perception. This is an exploratory-descriptive research with qualitative approach, developed with 26 women elderly members of the “Joy of Living Group”, located in Cuité-PB. To collect data we used a schedule of a semi-structured interview, using the analysis techniques of the content in Bardin’s thematic model. According to the results obtained we verified that the members were 60 to 81 years old; in relation to civil state, married and widow women detached. In relation to profession and occupation, most of them were retired agriculturist and the current occupation prevailed was domestic. It was possible to verify that the elderly understanding about terms like sex and sexuality does not differ very much one to another because they understand the word according to their experience. For some of them, sex is related to the sexual act and for the others, it includs love, companionship, and health. In relation to sexuality, it is seen as a feeling to be shared with a partner. In other cases, they unknow the real meaning of the word. In relation to quality of life (QL), we observed that this term aggregates multidimensional values, associting them between well-being or feeling well. The Joy of Living Group has achieved results that guarantee this QL because they have social interaction, create bonds of friendship and good conditions of life, important factors to get it. In this way, it is necessary understand sexuality in old age as being something natural since there are different perceptions either by Family or society. We noticed that the relation between sexual activity and the QL is correspondent to bring improvement to elderlies’ life in a general way. Therefore, we suggest to society and health professionals which develop an important role in this change that approach questions about sexuality with old age population, allowing a space for them feeling confident, acquire knowledge and solve their doubts to live this phase with QL.