229731 Using formative research to develop a sexual health and well-being curriculum for older adults

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Ebun Olubukonla Odeneye, MPH , Department of Health Behavior/Health Education, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
W. Alexander Orr, MPH , Public Health and Epidemiology, Abt Associates, Bethesda, DC
Yasmin Cole-Lewis, BA , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Jessica Izquierdo , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Katherine Johnston, MPH , Department of Health Behavior & Health Education, UNC-Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Aprajita Anand , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
     
Background: Older adults are often perceived as ‘less at-risk' for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), rendering sexual education and STI prevention resources sparse for this group. Nonetheless, researchers have found that the incidence of STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis among older persons has nearly doubled from 1996 to 2003. Additionally, people over 50 years of age represent about 11% of new AIDS cases in the United States. Currently, however, there is no evidence-based sexual health curriculum targeting older adults. Methods: Participant observation, interviews, and focus group discussions were conducted to gather information about how best to educate senior citizens about sexual health and wellness. We have data from 18 interviews with senior citizens, 6 focus group discussions with senior center staff members, and 6 interviews with service providers. These qualitative data will be analyzed to inform the development and implementation of a sexual health and well-being curriculum for older adults.

Results: Our preliminary findings show that senior citizens are interested in having intimate relationships. They are also concerned about sexual health. Most discuss sexual health with their partners, friends, family members, and health providers. In terms of delivering a sexual health curriculum, senior citizens would like to learn more about sexual health through small-group discussions. Therefore, senior centers can serve as an appropriate venue for delivering a sexual health and wellness curriculum. Finally, this research endeavor confirms that engaging all intended beneficiaries of a program during the development phase ensures content appropriateness, feasibility and sustainability.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe current trends regarding sexually transmitted infections among older adults. 2. Identify challenges in conducting sexual health research studies with older adults. 3. Discuss the importance of conducting qualitative inquiry for sexual health research on older adults. 4. Explain the importance of formative research in developing effective public health interventions. 5. Identify key findings from interviews and focus group discussions with older adults, senior care staff and service providers.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was a team member for this class project and contributed significant time in researching and analyzing results.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5130.0: Sexual risk reduction: Young, old, and risk populations