Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland

Jenny Dalrymple; Joanne Booth; Paul Flowers; Sharron Hinchliff; Karen Lorimer

doi:10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.003

Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland

Jenny Dalrymple, Joanne Booth, Paul Flowers, Sharron Hinchliff, Karen Lorimer

Psychology

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7 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

There has been a recent global increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV among adults aged over 45. Limited evidence exists regarding middle-aged adults’ knowledge of STIs other than HIV. This qualitative study sought to understand middle-aged adults’ knowledge of STIs within a socio-cultural context. Individual interviews, based on a life-course approach, were conducted with 31 recently sexually active heterosexual men and women. Participants were aged between 45 and 65 and of mixed relationship status (14 were single, 17 in a relationship). Thematic analysis identified four key findings, including: “engagement with STI-related knowledge”; “general knowledge of STIs”; “learning about STIs from children”; and “limited application of knowledge”. The findings allow insight into a neglected area, and indicate that socio-cultural factors influence middle-aged adults’ STI-related knowledge acquisition throughout the life course. These are important implications for the prevention of STIs, particularly in addressing the on-going stigmatisation of STIs in older age groups.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	34-42
Number of pages	9
Journal	Reproductive Health Matters: An international journal on sexual and reproductive health and rights
Volume	24
Issue number	48
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.003
Publication status	Published - 27 Nov 2016

Funding

This study was funded by a Glasgow Caledonian University PhD studentship. JD was released from her post as sexual health nurse at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Sandyford sexual health service. JB, KL and PF are funded by Glasgow Caledonian University. SH is funded by Sheffield University. Thanks go to the men and women who took part in interviews and to council and NHS staff who assisted with recruitment. This paper was drawn from JD's doctoral research thesis.

Keywords

heterosexual
knowledge
middle aged
qualitative research
sexually transmitted infections
UK

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10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.003

Dalrymple-etal-RHM2016-Socio-cultural-influences-upon-knowledge-sexually-transmitted-infections-qualitative-studyAccepted author manuscript, 575 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Cite this

Dalrymple, J., Booth, J., Flowers, P., Hinchliff, S., & Lorimer, K. (2016). Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland. Reproductive Health Matters: An international journal on sexual and reproductive health and rights, 24(48), 34-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.003

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abstract = "There has been a recent global increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV among adults aged over 45. Limited evidence exists regarding middle-aged adults{\textquoteright} knowledge of STIs other than HIV. This qualitative study sought to understand middle-aged adults{\textquoteright} knowledge of STIs within a socio-cultural context. Individual interviews, based on a life-course approach, were conducted with 31 recently sexually active heterosexual men and women. Participants were aged between 45 and 65 and of mixed relationship status (14 were single, 17 in a relationship). Thematic analysis identified four key findings, including: “engagement with STI-related knowledge”; “general knowledge of STIs”; “learning about STIs from children”; and “limited application of knowledge”. The findings allow insight into a neglected area, and indicate that socio-cultural factors influence middle-aged adults{\textquoteright} STI-related knowledge acquisition throughout the life course. These are important implications for the prevention of STIs, particularly in addressing the on-going stigmatisation of STIs in older age groups.",

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Dalrymple, J, Booth, J, Flowers, P, Hinchliff, S & Lorimer, K 2016, 'Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland', Reproductive Health Matters: An international journal on sexual and reproductive health and rights, vol. 24, no. 48, pp. 34-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhm.2016.10.003

Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland. / Dalrymple, Jenny; Booth, Joanne; Flowers, Paul et al.
In: Reproductive Health Matters: An international journal on sexual and reproductive health and rights, Vol. 24, No. 48, 27.11.2016, p. 34-42.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland

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