title: Socio-cultural influences upon knowledge of sexually transmitted infections: a qualitative study with heterosexual middle-aged adults in Scotland.
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.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Academic Research Fellow, Glasgow Caledonian University and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Jenny.Dalrymple@gcu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dalrymple
authors.affiliation: Professor of Rehabilitation Nursing, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Jo.Booth@gcu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: Professor of Public Health Psychology, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: P.Flowers@gcu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Flowers
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: s.hinchliff@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Sharron
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hinchliff
authors.affiliation: Senior Research Fellow, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. Electronic address: Karen.Lorimer@gcu.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lorimer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013222:State Medicine
keywords: UK; heterosexual; knowledge; middle aged; qualitative research; sexually transmitted infections