Sexual Health Vol. 9; No. 2: P. 152-159 (04..12) - Friday,
STI prevalence among older Australian women is increasing, the
authors wrote, in part because women are finding new partners
after losing a spouse to death or divorce. These women may be
less likely to use condoms with their new partners and
therefore at risk for STIs. Among women using an Internet
dating service, the current study compared the characteristics
of women age 40 and older with those ages 18-39, and it
determined factors associated with protective safer sex
attitudes.
By e-mail message, women who had used the Internet dating
service RSVP in the previous six months were directed to a
survey conducted by Family Planning New South Wales. The
survey assessed demographic factors, knowledge of STIs, and
attitudes about safer sex practices. Logistic regression was
used to analyze factors associated with talking about STIs
before sex, as well as refusing unprotected sex with a new
partner.
A total of 1,788 women completed the questionnaire; of these,
62.2 percent were age 40 or older. Most (64.8 percent) said
they were seeking a long-term partner. Meeting a new sex
partner via the Internet was reported by 41.5 percent of
respondents. Compared with younger women, those age 40 and
older were significantly more likely to discuss STIs with a
new partner, but they were less likely to refuse unprotected
sex.
"The Internet is a useful venue for women of all ages to meet
new sexual partners," the authors concluded. "Older women are
vulnerable to STI acquisition through failure to use condoms
with a new partner. Research is needed to determine effective
interventions to increase condom use in this age group."