Addressing the Blind Spot: Reproductive Health Issues among Elderly Men

James Munamati, University of zimbabwe
Stanzia Moyo, University of Zimbabwe

The evolving landscape of global aging has prompted a re-evaluation of policies, legislation, and programs to address the health and well-being of the older population. This commitment has been articulated in the 1982 Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, 1991 United Nations General Assembly's endorsement of the UN Principles for Older Persons and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing in 2002. Notwithstanding these commitments, a critical oversight persists in addressing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of older adults. Hence the objectives of this study were to establish the reproductive health issues affecting elderly persons, the health-seeking behaviour of the elderly population and assess the availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability of health services among the elderly population. Utilising documentary evidence, the study established that reproductive cancers, sexual dysfunctions and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV are typically common among the elderly, laying the foundation for policy guidance.