Sexual Health Information Sources, Needs, and Preferences of Young Adult Sexual Minority Cisgender Women and Non-binary Individuals Assigned Female at Birth

• Published in: Sexuality research & social policy 2021-09, Vol.18 (3), p.775-787
• Main Authors: Baker, Allison M., Jahn, Jaquelyn L., Tan, Andy S.L., Katz-Wise, Sabra L., Viswanath, Kasisomayajula, Bishop, Rachel A., Agénor, Madina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Childbirth & labor; Cisgender; Clinical outcomes; Communication; Health care industry; Health disparities; Health education; Health information; Health needs; Health problems; Health research; Health services; Health status; Heteronormativity; Heterosexuality; Information needs; Information sources; Internet; Mass media; Medical personnel; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Non-binary gender; Peers; Psychology; Quality of care; Sex education; Sexual Behavior; Sexual health; Sexual orientation; Sexually transmitted diseases; Social Sciences; STD; Telecommunications policy; Women; Young adults
• ISSN: 1868-9884; 1553-6610
• DOI: 10.1007/s13178-020-00501-6

Background Young adult sexual minority women (SMW) have unique sexual health needs and higher rates of some poor sexual health outcomes compared to their heterosexual peers. Unequal access to relevant sexual health information may contribute to sexual orientation disparities in sexual health among women, but research on sexual health communication among SMW is sparse. Methods In-depth interviews conducted in 2016–2017 investigated sexual health communication in a sample of 29 racially/ethnically diverse cisgender women and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth who were between 19 and 36 years of age and identified as a sexual minority. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach that involved inductive and deductive coding to identify themes. Results Three broad themes were identified: (1) sources of sexual health information, (2) sexual health information needs, and (3) preferences for sexual health information delivery. Participants discussed and critiqued the Internet, other mass media, health care providers, school-based sex education, family, and peers/partners as sources of sexual health information. Participants expressed a need for customized, non-heteronormative information pertaining to sexually transmitted infection risk and prevention. They preferred receiving information from health care providers, the Internet, and other mass media, and some also suggested school-based sex education and peer education as methods for delivering information. Conclusions Participants expressed clear desires for relevant, high-quality sexual health information delivered through a variety of channels, especially the Internet, other mass media, and health care providers. Policy Implications Findings call for policies that improve provision of sexual health information through health care providers, online resources, and school-based sex education.