Matthew Lee Smith1, Heather Honoré Goltz2, Audry S Motlagh3, SangNam Ahn4, Caroline D Bergeron5, Marcia G Ory6. 1. Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Health Science Campus, 100 Foster Road, Wright Hall #345E, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, Texas A&M School of Public Health, TAMU 1266, College Station, TX 77842, USA. Electronic address: health@uga.edu. 2. Social Work Program, University of Houston-Downtown, One Main Street, Suite C345E, Houston, TX, 77002, USA; Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. 3. Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, 4940 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA. 4. Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, Texas A&M School of Public Health, TAMU 1266, College Station, TX 77842, USA; Division of Health Systems Management and Policy, School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, 133 Robison Hall, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. 5. Bexar County Community Health Collaborative, 1002 North Flores Street, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA. 6. Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, Texas A&M School of Public Health, TAMU 1266, College Station, TX 77842, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aims to identify socio-demographic and health behavior factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis and patient-physician communication concerning sexual issues among older Veterans. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 635 male Veterans over age 55 years as part of the 2010 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, a nationally-representative, population-based study of community-dwelling older Americans. Two independent logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Over 33% of Veterans were aged 75 years or older. Over one-half of participants reported having a CVD diagnosis (58%) and sexual intercourse within the previous year (58%); over one-third (37%) reported having one or more sexual dysfunctions and discussing sexual issues with their physician (42%). Veterans diagnosed with CVD were significantly more likely to self-identify as racial/ethnic minorities (OR=1.89, P=0.021), have more chronic disease comorbidities (OR=1.23, P=0.041), and have more sexual dysfunctions (OR=1.19, P=0.028). Veterans diagnosed with CVD were significantly less likely to report having sex within the previous year (OR=0.53, P=0.005). Veterans who reported discussing sexual issues with a physician were significantly more likely to be ≥75 years (OR=1.79, P=0.010), and report more than a high school education (OR=1.62, P=0.016), CVD diagnosis (OR=1.59, P=0.015), sex within the previous year (OR=1.69, P=0.033), and trouble achieving/maintaining an erection (OR=3.39, P<0.001). IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest older male Veterans, particularly racial/ethnic minorities and those less-educated, may benefit from VA and community-based aging and sexual health/counseling services. These services should promote increased patient-physician communication as well as referrals between physicians and sex health/counseling specialists.
PURPOSE: This study aims to identify socio-demographic and health behavior factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) diagnosis and patient-physician communication concerning sexual issues among older Veterans. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 635 male Veterans over age 55 years as part of the 2010 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, a nationally-representative, population-based study of community-dwelling older Americans. Two independent logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Over 33% of Veterans were aged 75 years or older. Over one-half of participants reported having a CVD diagnosis (58%) and sexual intercourse within the previous year (58%); over one-third (37%) reported having one or more sexual dysfunctions and discussing sexual issues with their physician (42%). Veterans diagnosed with CVD were significantly more likely to self-identify as racial/ethnic minorities (OR=1.89, P=0.021), have more chronic disease comorbidities (OR=1.23, P=0.041), and have more sexual dysfunctions (OR=1.19, P=0.028). Veterans diagnosed with CVD were significantly less likely to report having sex within the previous year (OR=0.53, P=0.005). Veterans who reported discussing sexual issues with a physician were significantly more likely to be ≥75 years (OR=1.79, P=0.010), and report more than a high school education (OR=1.62, P=0.016), CVD diagnosis (OR=1.59, P=0.015), sex within the previous year (OR=1.69, P=0.033), and trouble achieving/maintaining an erection (OR=3.39, P<0.001). IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest older male Veterans, particularly racial/ethnic minorities and those less-educated, may benefit from VA and community-based aging and sexual health/counseling services. These services should promote increased patient-physician communication as well as referrals between physicians and sex health/counseling specialists.