P207: Pilot testing of the Health and Social Care Professionals’ Knowledge & Attitudes towards Later Life Sexuality (HSCP-KALLS) instrument

Abstract

Objective:

Due to a lack of validated assessment instruments, this study aimed to pilot test the newly developed Health and Social Care Professionals’ Knowledge & Attitudes Towards Later Life Sexuality (HSCP-KALLS) instrument. The HSCP-KALLS instrument is designed to assess health and social care professionals’ knowledge (46 items) and attitudes (40 items) towards later life sexuality including components related to dementia, sex worker services and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex or Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ+).

Methods:

A group of health and social care professionals (n = 22) and Healthcare-related educator (n = 2) were invited to complete the HSCP-KALLS instrument. Feedback on items phrasing and the experience of completing the instrument was sought.

Results:

Written feedback regarding either phrase of items or use of the instrument was not specifically addressed by participants. A high level of internal consistency was revealed for both the knowledge and attitude items (α = 0.84 & 0.88, respectively). A decent level of knowledge (M=39.75, SD=4.90) and positive attitudes (M=161.04, SD=13.50) towards later life sexuality were demonstrated by participants. Participants had greater knowledge on items related to ageing, intimacy, and sexuality (95%), with a lower level of knowledge on items related to sexuality diversity (e.g., LGBTIQ+). Providing more trainings about later life sexuality was frequently addressed in the knowledge written feedback. Participants generally demonstrated positive attitudes towards later life sexuality. However, a high proportion of ambivalent responses were noted on some attitude items (e.g., A9 & A18) that participants indicated in written feedback that their responses would depend on circumstances.

Conclusion:

Preliminary reliability and feasibility of using the HSCP-KALLS instrument has been encouraging, with further testing in large samples now, required to robustly establish psychometric properties. Supporting later life sexuality is essential and the use of HSCP-KALLS instrument can inform and identify professional development needs of health and social care professionals to improve care provision for older people by supporting their expression of sexuality in healthcare settings.