Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorSteyn, Petrus Sen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorArchary, Paversonen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-06-29T07:41:31Z
dc.date.available2015-06-29T07:41:31Z
dc.date.issued2014en_ZA
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.en_ZA
dc.description.abstractBackground: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has historically been marginalised. Increased international awareness of the LGBT profile has led to the recognition that the medical profession has overlooked the health needs of lesbian women, with a resultant paucity of data regarding lesbian women’s health risks. International literature has shown that lesbians remain at risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV; are at significant risk of mental health disorders; exhibit a high-risk profile for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, as well as cancer, and underutilise health care services due to experiences of homophobia. South African data is almost non-existent. Objective: To explore Cape Town wsw’s (women who have sex with women) experiences with, and trends of utilisation of Reproductive Healthcare Services. Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey. Methods: A sample of self-identified wsw was recruited using a snowball sampling method to complete an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire during February 2013. Outcome Measures: Predominantly descriptive, with an aim to validate the study questionnaire for the South African context. Results: A total of 116 responses were analysed. The mean age of the population was 37 years of age, with the majority identifying as lesbian. The population comprised predominantly of Caucasian, middle class suburban residents, with most having medical aid, and accessing private health care. A significant proportion of respondents reported previous intercourse with a male sexual partner. Barrier contraception was not always used during intercourse with men and almost never during sex with women. There were a significant number of sexually transmitted infections in women with no previous male sexual partners. Most respondents considered themselves to be at low risk of contracting HIV, and at intermediate risk of cervical and breast cancer, and showed higher than average utilization of cervical screening practices for 4 this population, despite a general perception that screening is unnecessary in lesbian women. A general trend towards disclosure of sexual orientation was noted; however users of private healthcare were significantly more likely to have disclosed their orientation to their physician than users of public and NGO services. Respondents held a preference for practitioners that were themselves gay/lesbian.The study tool was validated for use in the South African context; however redundancy could not be formally excluded from the questionnaire. Conclusions: Wsw from Cape Town experience internationally comparable exposures and risks of gynaecological problems. Further research is required to fully understand the healthcare needs of lesbian women living in lower socio-economic conditions.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationArchary, P. (2014). <i>Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town</i>. (Thesis). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13150en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationArchary, Paverson. <i>"Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town."</i> Thesis., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13150en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationArchary, P. 2014. Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town. University of Cape Town.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Archary, Paverson AB - Background: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community has historically been marginalised. Increased international awareness of the LGBT profile has led to the recognition that the medical profession has overlooked the health needs of lesbian women, with a resultant paucity of data regarding lesbian women’s health risks. International literature has shown that lesbians remain at risk of sexually transmitted infections and HIV; are at significant risk of mental health disorders; exhibit a high-risk profile for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, as well as cancer, and underutilise health care services due to experiences of homophobia. South African data is almost non-existent. Objective: To explore Cape Town wsw’s (women who have sex with women) experiences with, and trends of utilisation of Reproductive Healthcare Services. Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey. Methods: A sample of self-identified wsw was recruited using a snowball sampling method to complete an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire during February 2013. Outcome Measures: Predominantly descriptive, with an aim to validate the study questionnaire for the South African context. Results: A total of 116 responses were analysed. The mean age of the population was 37 years of age, with the majority identifying as lesbian. The population comprised predominantly of Caucasian, middle class suburban residents, with most having medical aid, and accessing private health care. A significant proportion of respondents reported previous intercourse with a male sexual partner. Barrier contraception was not always used during intercourse with men and almost never during sex with women. There were a significant number of sexually transmitted infections in women with no previous male sexual partners. Most respondents considered themselves to be at low risk of contracting HIV, and at intermediate risk of cervical and breast cancer, and showed higher than average utilization of cervical screening practices for 4 this population, despite a general perception that screening is unnecessary in lesbian women. A general trend towards disclosure of sexual orientation was noted; however users of private healthcare were significantly more likely to have disclosed their orientation to their physician than users of public and NGO services. Respondents held a preference for practitioners that were themselves gay/lesbian.The study tool was validated for use in the South African context; however redundancy could not be formally excluded from the questionnaire. Conclusions: Wsw from Cape Town experience internationally comparable exposures and risks of gynaecological problems. Further research is required to fully understand the healthcare needs of lesbian women living in lower socio-economic conditions. DA - 2014 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2014 T1 - Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town TI - Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13150 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/13150
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationArchary P. Trends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Town. [Thesis]. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2014 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/13150en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecologyen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subject.otherObstetrics & Gynaecologyen_ZA
dc.titleTrends of utilisation of reproductive health services by lesbian women in Cape Townen_ZA
dc.typeMaster Thesis
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationnameMMeden_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceThesisen_ZA
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_hsf_2014_archary_p (1).pdf
Size:
2.49 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters