Lesbian Health (In)visibility: Analysis of Vulnerability Factors in Lesbian Sexual Health Care

Abstract

This study analyzed the vulnerability in sexual health and preventive practices regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the affective-sexual relationships of lesbians. This exploratory and descriptive study followed a cross-sectional and qualitative character. The sample consisted of 18 Brazilian women self-reported as lesbians, ranging from 19 to 42 years (M = 26, SD = 6.1). A sociodemographic questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed through thematic categorical analysis. The supposed existing methods were shown to not be specific, or target the prevention of STIs among women, since most of these means of prevention would be adaptations of existing methods or of items that would originally be used for other purposes. We conclude that elements of programmatic order seem to affect more intensively for a situation of greater vulnerability to lesbian health, and these are also related to individual and social elements.

Keywords:
Lesbians; STI; Prevention; Health Care