Barriers and Facilitating Factors in Help-Seeking: A Qualitative Study on How Older Adults Experience Talking about Sexual Issues With Healthcare Personnel

Abstract

Objective: Barriers to help-seeking for sexual issues endanger sexual health rights of the growing population of older adults. This study set out to explore older Norwegian adults’ experience of help-seeking for sexual issues. Methods: Thirty-two men and women aged 65–85 years were interviewed. Five themes were identified using thematic analysis: (1) Dynamics in communication, (2) Understandings of sexuality, (3) Knowledge and competence, (4) Attitudes, and (5) Structural conditions. Results: Results were discussed in relation to the existing research and cultural changes in attitudes, and recommendations are presented on how increased knowledge, competence in patients and health personnel can overcome barriers to help-seeking. Conclusions: Although the participants seemed more knowledgeable and HP less prejudiced conc. older adults' sexual health, sexuality was still experienced as mainly irrelevant in the context of health care.