The exemplary adults and the challenge of seeking care for sexually transmitted infections among older adults in Nigeria

Achieving age-friendly primary care system requires right-based therapeutic encounter between the physician and older patients. This study explores the Yoruba cultural notion of exemplar older adult within the context of seeking care for sexually transmitted infections in Nigeria. Four vignettes based focus group discussions on age categories and gender basis were held with 39 middle and older adults (50-75years) in Ibadan metropolis, an urban city in southwest Nigeria. Findings showed notable gender/age variations in perceptions of exemplary adults, sexually aging well and seeking help due to sexuality problems. Middle aged male than their older counterparts related sexually ageing well with desires and actual engagement in heterosexual relations; and absence of sexually dysfunctions in old age as good masculinity. Older females emphasized expressing sexual desires within socially restricted context such as marriage and suppressing such desires in old age as more representative of sexually ageing well. Older females that behave contrary were stigmatized than their male counterparts. Other important sub-themes include: having a positive social outlook, and absence of sexually transmitted infections. To promote healthy ageing among cultures, sexual health services should create avenues for old people infected with sexually transmitted infections to seek appropriate treatments without stigmatization.