We present the protocol for a multicentre observational study to investigate sexual well-being among Chinese older adults (SWELL). Eligible participants are men and women aged 50 years and older from East, West, South and North China, including older adults living in the community and older adults living with HIV. A multistage sampling approach is used in the SWELL Study. We will collect a questionnaire about sexual health (sexual knowledge, sexual attitude, sexual behaviours, sexually transmitted infections, etc). Blood specimens will be tested for sex hormones (estradiol for women, testosterone for men), biochemical items (eg, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, urea, creatinine and uric acid) and syphilis (determined by toluidine red unheated serum test and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test). The primary analysis will elucidate the current status of sexual health among older adults in China and its correlates. Secondary analyses will compare sexual well-being among older adults in four regions across China. Approximately 3540 older adults will be recruited into the SWELL Study.
This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University (approval number SYSU-PHS[2019]006). Verbal informed consent will be obtained from all participants before any study procedure. Data will be anonymised, and participants will not be identified through any data, transcripts or publications. Findings from the SWELL Study will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed scientific journals and at national and international conferences.
方法:我们提出了一项多中心观察性研究的方案,以调查中国老年人的性幸福感(SWELL)。符合条件的参与者是来自东部的50岁及以上的男性和女性,西,华南和华北,包括居住在社区的老年人和感染艾滋病毒的老年人。在SWELL研究中使用了多级采样方法。我们将收集一份关于性健康的问卷(性知识,性态度,性行为,性传播感染,etc).血液标本将进行性激素检测(女性雌二醇,男性睾丸激素),生化项目(如,胆固醇,甘油三酯,低密度脂蛋白,高密度脂蛋白,尿素,肌酐和尿酸)和梅毒(通过甲苯胺红不加热血清试验和梅毒螺旋体颗粒凝集试验确定)。初步分析将阐明中国老年人的性健康现状及其相关因素。二次分析将比较中国四个地区老年人的性幸福感。大约3540名老年人将被招募到SWELL研究中。
背景:本研究得到了公共卫生学院(深圳)人类研究伦理委员会的批准,中山大学(批准号SYSU-PHS[2019]006)。在任何研究程序之前,将获得所有参与者的口头知情同意书。数据将被匿名化,参与者将不会通过任何数据来识别,成绩单或出版物。SWELL研究的结果将通过同行评审的科学期刊以及国家和国际会议广泛传播。