Salud, sexo y comportamiento sexual: la esperanza de vida sexual activa / Health, sex and sexual behaviour: sexually active life expectancy

OBJETIVO: Medir la esperanza de vida sexual activa (EVSA) para estimar la edad promedio a la que finaliza la actividad sexual en la población española, prestando especial atención a la población mayor. Asimismo, se introducen las autopercepciones de la salud y de la salud sexual para observar la variación que producen en la EVSA. MÉTODO: Análisis descriptivo transversal. Con los datos de la Human Mortality Database y de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Sexual para 2009 se calcula la EVSA, mediante el método de Sullivan, clasificando a la población según si ha practicado o no sexo coital en el último año. También se introduce la percepción de la salud y de la salud sexual. Se calcula de los 30 a los 80 o más años de edad, considerando el sexo y grupos quinquenales de edad. RESULTADOS: Los datos pronostican la continuidad de la actividad coital (para 55-59 años la EVSA es de 13,3 años en los hombres y 8 años en las mujeres) así como su asociación con la salud y la salud sexual, con divergencias en función del sexo y de la edad. Los hombres presentan una trayectoria sexual activa más extensa que las mujeres, pero también más influenciada por la buena salud (agrega 2,6 y 1 años, respectivamente) y la buena salud sexual (añade 5,2 y 4,3 años, respectivamente). La EVSA también varía al considerar una mala salud (resta 2,7 años y suma 2 años) y una mala salud sexual (resta 2,9 y 1,3 años). CONCLUSIONES: Los datos revelan la necesaria extensión de los programas de salud sexual a edades longevas al confirmar la continuidad de las prácticas sexuales a estas edades

OBJECTIVE: To measure sexually active life expectancy (SALE) estimating the average age at which sexually active life finishes, paying special attention to the older population. Variations in SALE according to self-rated health are examined. METHOD: Descriptive analysis with cross-sectional data. SALE was calculated for the population by age group (30 to 80 years old) and sex using the Sullivan Method, with data from the Human Mortality Database and the National Survey of Sexual Health (Spain). The analysis distinguishes between individuals that have had coital sex in the last year and those who have not. RESULTS: Coital activity continues in those aged from 55-59 years old, the SALE is 13.3 years in males and 8 in females. Coital activity is related to health and sexual health, diverging depending on sex and age group. The males showed a more extended sexually active trajectory than the females, but were also more influenced by good general health (adding 2.6 and 1 years respectively) and good sexual health (5.2 and 4.3 years). SALE also varies when poor health (subtracting 2.7 years and adding 2 years) and poor sexual health (subtracting 2.9 and 1.3 years) are considered. CONCLUSIONS: the results reveal that sexual health programmes must be extended to the older ages, given that it is confirmed that sexual activity continues in old age

[Health, sex and sexual behaviour: sexually active life expectancy]. / Salud, sexo y comportamiento sexual: la esperanza de vida sexual activa.

OBJECTIVE: To measure sexually active life expectancy (SALE) estimating the average age at which sexually active life finishes, paying special attention to the older population. Variations in SALE according to self-rated health are examined. METHOD: Descriptive analysis with cross-sectional data. SALE was calculated for the population by age group (30 to 80 years old) and sex using the Sullivan Method, with data from the Human Mortality Database and the National Survey of Sexual Health (Spain). The analysis distinguishes between individuals that have had coital sex in the last year and those who have not. RESULTS: Coital activity continues in those aged from 55-59 years old, the SALE is 13.3 years in males and 8 in females. Coital activity is related to health and sexual health, diverging depending on sex and age group. The males showed a more extended sexually active trajectory than the females, but were also more influenced by good general health (adding 2.6 and 1 years respectively) and good sexual health (5.2 and 4.3 years). SALE also varies when poor health (subtracting 2.7 years and adding 2 years) and poor sexual health (subtracting 2.9 and 1.3 years) are considered. CONCLUSIONS: the results reveal that sexual health programmes must be extended to the older ages, given that it is confirmed that sexual activity continues in old age.