Safe sex? Not among the over-45s, say researchers

Published on Wednesday 1 April 2009 22:10

THE over-45s in Scotland were yesterday urged to look after their sexual health, after research showed they were frequently putting themselves at risk.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain found that middle-aged people starting new sexual relationships were putting themselves at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A survey found that almost one-fifth of people aged 45 to 54 admitted having unprotected sex with someone other than a long-term partner in the past five years.

Nearly one-third of this age group thought that their risk of getting an STI when having unprotected sex with a new partner, or someone other than a current partner, was either "unlikely" or "very unlikely".

More worryingly, a further one-fifth believed that their chances of picking up an infection were "next to nothing" in these circumstances.

When compared with the younger generations, double the proportion of over-55s believed their chances of acquiring an STI from unprotected sex were "next to nothing".

A quarter of those aged 45 to 54 said they did not use contraception, as they trusted their partner not to have an STI.

Sandra Melville, the chairman of the Scottish Pharmacy Board, said: "The majority of safe-sex messages are targeted at teenagers, but good advice is relevant to all age groups."