Sexual Life in Older Years: Exploring the Lived Experiences of the Elderly in Four Suburbs within Ho Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

In Ghana, sexuality among older adults has been saddled with different kinds of perceptions and stigma. Since sex is often deemed to be for the young and beautiful, older adults are mostly assumed to be less sexually active. This qualitative study, therefore, explores the experience of sexuality among older people in Ghana. Specifically, the study investigated the purpose of sex for older people, the changes, if any, that occur in their sexual life, the causes/reasons for these changes and how older people navigate them. The study was conducted in four suburbs of the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region of Ghana (namely Takla, Bankoe, Sokode-Gbogame and Kpenoe) with the target population being persons aged 60 and above who had ever been sexually active. Using the purposive and snowballing sampling techniques, twenty-four (24) participants were interviewed. A semi-structured interview guide was employed as a tool to collect primary data from the participants. The data collected was analysed using thematic network analysis. Findings from the study reveal that cultural influences determine certain sexual behaviours which are exhibited by older adults. Participants engaged in some sexual activities even in older years and generally defined sex as peno-vagina penetration. The study identified the existence of certain changes that occur in late adulthood which affect sexual function in old age. These include problems with the sexual organs such as erectile dysfunction in males and vaginal dryness in females, as well as a decline in sexual desire. These changes are influenced by factors such as self-preservation, characteristics of the partner and the use of medication. The study also found that older adults navigate these changes by seeking information on the changes they experience, diverting attention from sexual activities and accepting the change. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on the subject by providing insight into the sexual experiences of older adults in Ghana, the changes they experience in their sexual function and how they navigate their sexual life in the face of these changes.