Sexual Minority Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among sexual minority women in China

There is a potential for transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) within sexual minority women (SMW) in China. However, research specifically focused on STIs among SMW in China is severely limited. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of STIs and identify associated risk factors among SMW in Beijing, China. This study comprised a baseline assessment followed by a follow-up evaluation. Consistent questionnaire interviews and STI tests were administered during both stages. Participants were recruited online in Beijing between 2020 and 2021 and factors associated with STIs were analyzed using logistic and Cox regression models. The baseline included 219 SMW, and 58.9% (129/219) of these individuals participated in the follow-up. During the baseline assessment, 4.1% (9/219) tested positive for chlamydia infection, while 5.0% (11/219) were HSV-2 seropositive. At the follow-up, the incidence of HSV-2 was 3.7 cases per 100 person-years. Notably, engaging in sexual activity with men and having an increased number of sexual partners were both identified as factors associated with a higher risk of STIs. The findings suggest that SMW in Beijing may face a significant risk of contracting STIs. As a preventive measure, there should be a concerted effort to promote STI testing within the SMW community.

Perceived knowledge gained from school-based sexuality education - results from a national population-based survey among young people in Sweden

BACKGROUND

School-based sexuality education is a core component of securing young people's right to attain health equity regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights. This paper aims to explore how perceived knowledge (sufficient or insufficient) of taking care of one's sexual health is associated with knowledge gained from school-based sexuality education and social determinants.

METHODS

The data material is drawn from a population-based survey conducted in Sweden in 2015. The survey had 7755 respondents and a response rate of 26%. To explore the aim descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS

Our results show that perceived insufficient knowledge from school-based sexuality education was associated with higher odds of reporting not being able to take care of one's sexual health. The highest significant excess risk for insufficient knowledge was found among young people from sexual minorities.

CONCLUSIONS

Young people in Sweden do not have equal abilities to receive knowledge needed to take care of their sexual health and thus attain sexual health literacy. There is an unequal distribution of perceived knowledge, and LGBTQI+ youth particularly face barriers in using school-based sexuality education as a resource for sexual health literacy.

Identity and pregnancy in conflict?: an examination of sexual minority women using qualitative description

While there is growing documentation of pregnancy among sexual minority women, little research has focused on their perceptions and experiences of conflict between sexual minority identity and pregnancy. Because of this, this study used Social Identity Theory and qualitative descriptive analysis to explore the following questions: do sexual minority women perceive sexual minority identity and pregnancy as in conflict; and if so, from where does this conflict arise and how do sexual minority women experience it? Participants included 21 lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and other non-heterosexual cisgender women, a third of whom had previously been pregnant. Themes captured internally located conflict, including participants who saw pregnancy as irrelevant and those who experienced pregnancy as acceptable for sexual minority women; imposed conflict from healthcare contexts, including both health provider assumptions and imposed conflict on reproductive autonomy; and ambivalence. Overall, few participants noted internalised conflict between their sexual minority identity and pregnancy. Instead, sexual minority women experienced ambivalence or imposed conflict between their sexual minority identities and pregnancy from their health providers, although this imposed conflict was not limited to sexual orientation.

Direct-to-Consumer Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Methods: Preferred Communication Sources and Channels Among Young Adult Women

BACKGROUND

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening methods use self-collected samples in a nonclinical setting. Direct-to-consumer methods may reach a population of women who avoid screening because of stigma and privacy concerns, or who lack access to clinical care. Little is known about the salient dissemination approaches to promote these methods. The study's purpose was to identify preferred sources and communication channels for information about DTC methods among young adult women.

METHODS

Participants were sexually active 18- to 24-year-old college women at one university, recruited via purposive sampling using campus email, list-servs, and campus events to participate in an online survey (n = 92). Interested participants were invited to participate in in-depth interviews (n = 24). Both instruments were guided by the Diffusion of Innovation theory to identify relevant communication channels.

RESULTS

Survey participants ranked healthcare providers as their preferred source of information, followed by the Internet and college- and university-based resources. Race was significantly associated with the ranking of partners and family members as information sources. Interview themes focused on healthcare providers legitimizing DTC methods, using the Internet and social media to increase awareness, and linking DTC method education to other services provided by the college.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed common information sources that college-aged women may use when researching DTC method information and potential channels and strategies for DTC uptake and dissemination. Using trusted sources including healthcare providers, trusted Web sites, and established college resources as dissemination channels may be beneficial to increase the awareness and use of DTC methods for STI screening.

Human Papillomavirus Infection: Knowledge, Risk Perceptions and Behaviors among SMW and AFAB

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, and persistent HPV infection has been established as playing a major role in the development of cervical cancer. Providing HPV vaccination and regular screening tests have reduced the risk of developing cervical cancer or helped to detect the cancer at an early stage. Despite the above measures, cervical cancer still remains a major public health problem worldwide. Infection with HPV, and consequently cervical cancer, affects all people with an intact cervix, so not only heterosexual women, but also women from sexual minorities (SMW) together with people assigned female at birth (AFAB). These populations may be even more likely to develop cervical cancer, mainly because they are less likely to be aware of HPV transmission and prevention of cervical cancer. In our review, we summarized the current state of HPV knowledge, collected data assessing the orientation of this issue among SMW and AFAB, and indicated the causes of possible negligence in the prevention of cervical cancer.