Presenter Information

Sarrah SpohnholtzFollow

Start Date

23-8-2019 9:00 AM

Abstract

Relevance of Sex Education for Women Who Have Sex with Women

Sarrah Spohnholtz

Abstract

Women who have sex with women (WSW) are missing sexual scripts in society making it difficult for women who are in sexual relationships with other women to communicate and negotiate how to have safe sex. WSW are not given the appropriate resources, knowledge, or materials to engage in safe sex practices or advocate for their health. On top of that, there are minimal amounts of health research focusing on lesbian, bisexual, women who have sex with women leading to an increase in health disparities.

Background: Women who have sex with women (WSW) are a marginalized group within society at large and the health research community. As a result, there is limited sex and health education and research on this population leading to increased health disparities such as increased rates bacterial vaginosis, HSV1, HPV, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, and lack of access to health screenings for gynecological health.

Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to analyze the impact of sex and health education on women who have sex with women (WSW) in an attempt to improve patient outcomes, healthy literacy, safe health and preventative behaviors, and to increase qualitative research for women within the LGBTQ+ community.

Method: An integrative literature review guided was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and Gender Watch. A search was conducted using these terms: The terms that were searched were: lesbian, bisexual women, or women who have sex with women, safe sex, and sex education.

Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. It was found that health educators view WSW as having little to no risk for transmitting HIV, other STIs, and unintended pregnancy; however, this is little concrete research to verify this assumption. There are reports of WSW not having a pap smear within the past 2 years and to have never had a mammogram. There is a large underreporting of STIs among WSW. Compared with the general population of women, lesbians were more likely to report tobacco and alcohol use, being overweight, and also engage in vigorous physical activity.

Conclusion: Deliberate health education rooted in evidence-based literature can have an impact in revealing the need for increased health education for WSW. In order to create an inclusive healthcare system the research community needs to first identify the needs of the marginalized communities including WSW. With the current limited research on WSW, it is recommended that further research is conducted that includes lesbian women, bisexual women, and transgender and non-binary women that have sex with women.

Key words: lesbian, bisexual women, or women who have sex with women, safe sex, and sex education

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Aug 23rd, 9:00 AM

Relevance of Sex Education for Women Who Have Sex with Women

Relevance of Sex Education for Women Who Have Sex with Women

Sarrah Spohnholtz

Abstract

Women who have sex with women (WSW) are missing sexual scripts in society making it difficult for women who are in sexual relationships with other women to communicate and negotiate how to have safe sex. WSW are not given the appropriate resources, knowledge, or materials to engage in safe sex practices or advocate for their health. On top of that, there are minimal amounts of health research focusing on lesbian, bisexual, women who have sex with women leading to an increase in health disparities.

Background: Women who have sex with women (WSW) are a marginalized group within society at large and the health research community. As a result, there is limited sex and health education and research on this population leading to increased health disparities such as increased rates bacterial vaginosis, HSV1, HPV, obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, and lack of access to health screenings for gynecological health.

Objective: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to analyze the impact of sex and health education on women who have sex with women (WSW) in an attempt to improve patient outcomes, healthy literacy, safe health and preventative behaviors, and to increase qualitative research for women within the LGBTQ+ community.

Method: An integrative literature review guided was conducted using CINAHL, PubMed, and Gender Watch. A search was conducted using these terms: The terms that were searched were: lesbian, bisexual women, or women who have sex with women, safe sex, and sex education.

Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. It was found that health educators view WSW as having little to no risk for transmitting HIV, other STIs, and unintended pregnancy; however, this is little concrete research to verify this assumption. There are reports of WSW not having a pap smear within the past 2 years and to have never had a mammogram. There is a large underreporting of STIs among WSW. Compared with the general population of women, lesbians were more likely to report tobacco and alcohol use, being overweight, and also engage in vigorous physical activity.

Conclusion: Deliberate health education rooted in evidence-based literature can have an impact in revealing the need for increased health education for WSW. In order to create an inclusive healthcare system the research community needs to first identify the needs of the marginalized communities including WSW. With the current limited research on WSW, it is recommended that further research is conducted that includes lesbian women, bisexual women, and transgender and non-binary women that have sex with women.

Key words: lesbian, bisexual women, or women who have sex with women, safe sex, and sex education

 

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