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287796
Structural and social contexts of safer sex practices and sexually transmitted infection risk among lesbian, bisexual and queer women in toronto, Canada
Scant research has examined the influence of sexual stigma on safer sex practices among lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) women. This study examined associations between sexual stigma (SS) and safer sex practices among LBQ women in Toronto, Canada.
Methods
We implemented a cross-sectional internet-based survey to a peer-driven recruitment sample of LBQ women in Toronto. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were conducted to examine associations between independent (block 1: perceived SS; enacted SS; sexually transmitted infections [STI] knowledge; block 2: resilient coping; social support) and dependent variables (safer sex practices, e.g. not sharing sex toys).
Results
One-fifth (20.0%) of participants (n=444) (mean age= 31.4, SD 8.12; median annual income=$26,000 USD; 34.3% racial/ethnic minority; 46.4% queer, 28.6% lesbian, 16.2% bisexual, 4.3% gay, 4.5% other) reported ever having an STI. Bisexual women were significantly more likely to have had an STI, and experienced significantly higher levels of enacted SS, than non-bisexuals. In MLR analyses, lower enacted SS and higher STI knowledge were associated with safer sex practices. Higher levels of resilient coping and social support were significantly associated with safer sex practices.
Conclusions
Sexual stigma was significantly associated with reduced safer sex practices among LBQ women; STI knowledge, resilient coping, and social support were associated with increased safer sex practices. Bisexual women experienced elevated SS and increased STI incidence. STI prevention interventions for LBQ women should be tailored to sexual identity and aim to increase STI knowledge and build protective factors such as resilient coping, and simultaneously challenge sexual stigma.
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Explain barriers, such as sexual stigma, and facilitators, such as social support and resilient coping, that impact safer sex practices and STI risk among lesbian, bisexual and queer women.
Discuss the importance of integrating intersectional analyses (e.g. sexual orientation, ethnicity) into health care practice with lesbian, bisexual and queer women.
Identify practice skills (e.g. assessments, strengthening coping skills), community-based practice (challenging sexual stigma, building social support) and structural interventions (health care provider training)
Keywords: Lesbian Health, STD
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator on this study. I designed the research and collected and analyzed the data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.