Title :

How doctors'' beliefs influence gynecological health care for women who have sex with other women

Author(s) :

Bayen, Sabine [Auteur]
Lille Neurosciences & Cognition - U 1172 [LilNCog]
Ottavioli, Pauline [Auteur]
Martin, Marie jeanne [Auteur]
Cottencin, Olivier [Auteur]
Laboratoire Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives - UMR 9193 [SCALab]
Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives (SCALab) - UMR 9193
BAYEN, Marc [Auteur]
Université de Lille
Messaadi, Nassir [Auteur]
Laboratoire Sciences Cognitives et Sciences Affectives - UMR 9193 [SCALab]

Journal title :

Journal of women's health (2002)

Abbreviated title :

J Womens Health (Larchmt)

Volume number :

29

Publication date :

2020-01-02

ISSN :

1931-843X

Keyword(s) :

primary care
gynecological follow-up
health disparities
WSW
case vignette

HAL domain(s) :

Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

English abstract : [en]

Background: Women who occasionally or regularly have sex with other women (WSW) are rarely identified in primary care. Although we know about their specific health needs, health care professionals still find it difficult ...
Show more >Background: Women who occasionally or regularly have sex with other women (WSW) are rarely identified in primary care. Although we know about their specific health needs, health care professionals still find it difficult to ask questions about sexual orientation (SO) and behaviors, and sometimes, patients may find them difficult to answer. The presumption of heterosexuality still remains a widespread attitude in health care. This study took place in a primary care setting, and aimed to identify differences in gynecological health care and clinical practice for women, according to what their presumed SO and behaviors were. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational, descriptive, and comparative study from October 2018 to February 2019. Three hundred thirty-eight general practitioners (GPs) from Rhône-Alpes area (France) received an anonymous questionnaire with clinical case vignettes. The main outcome was the percentage of GPs who perform a different gynecological follow-up for WSW and non-WSW. Results: In total, 165 questionnaires were analyzed. Ninety percent of respondents performed a different gynecological follow-up for WSW, compared with other women. They less often addressed topics such as contraception needs, use of barrier protections, and screening of sexually transmitted infections. Ninety-two percent of respondents were aware that they have WSW among their patients, but 2/3 of them never or rarely asked about SO. Conclusion: Most GPs know that they manage WSW but may misidentify these patients and their real care needs. Therefore, WSW receive a different and poorer follow-up than non-WSW. Clinical guidelines would be useful to improve and standardize quality and experience of health care for WSW.Show less >

Language :

Anglais

Audience :

Internationale

Popular science :

Non

Administrative institution(s) :

CHU Lille
Inserm
Université de Lille

Collections :

• Lille Neurosciences & Cognition (LilNCog) - U 1172

Research team(s) :

Plasticity and Subjectivity (PSY)

Submission date :

2021-06-23T13:44:37Z
2025-04-07T07:18:38Z