Sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infection in the elderly population of South Korea

PURPOSE: To study the sexual behavior and status of sexually transmitted urethritis (STU) in the elderly population of South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Congregating places for elderly population, which were selected on the expected risk of sexually transmitted infections, were visited to study their sexual behavior, awareness on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and STU status using a specially developed survey and urine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. In addition, analysis of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) database was done to study the nationwide status and trends of STU of the elderly population. RESULTS: The study found that approximately 42% of elderly South Koreans were sexually active. Elderlies in the high-risk group showed a higher percentage of multiple sexual partners and prostitution than elderlies in the low-risk group. Only 3% and 14% in the low-risk group and high-risk group used condoms, showing a very low rate of condom use. Both the urine PCR results and HIRA database analysis showed that the prevalence of STU was not high and it remained stable in recent years, implying that currently, STU is not a significant burden on public health in the elderly population of South Korea. CONCLUSIONS: The current study presented the sexual behavior in the elderly population of South Korea, as well as the recent prevalence and trend of STU in the elderly population. These results may be used as baseline data for future study, education, prevention and public campaign plan for STDs in the elderly population.