gynecology-2017-scientifictracks-abstracts

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Volume 7, Issue 10 (Suppl) Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale), an open access journal
ISSN: 2161-0932 Gynecology 2017
October 02-04, 2017
Page 38
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Dianne L Kerr, Gynecol Obstet (Sunnyvale) 2017, 7:10(Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0932-C1-021
Acomparison of lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual college women on reproductive health screenings
and sexual behaviors
Statement of the Problem: Little is known about sexual minority college women regarding reproductive health screenings and
sexual risk behaviors. Research that has been conducted often combines LGBT individuals into one group for analysis, which
may mask the variance between these groups. The Institute of Medicine has recognized the need to separate groups from the
LGBT spectrum in order to more accurately reflect differences. The purpose of this study was to compare lesbian, bisexual, and
heterosexual college undergraduate women on reproductive health screening behaviors and to determine associations between
screening, number of sexual partners, types of sexual intercourse, condom/protective barrier use, and demographic variables.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: The study utilized a pre-existing data set, from the American College Health
Association’s National College Health Assessment. The theoretical orientation was minority stress theory, indicating lesbian
and bisexual women would be more at risk for health debilitating behaviors due to minority stress.
Findings: Bisexual college women participated more in screenings and were more likely to participate in anal sex than
heterosexual women or lesbians. Bisexuals were less likely to use condoms/protective barriers for vaginal and anal sex in the
last 30 days than heterosexuals. Most of the sample used no barrier protection for oral sex. Lesbians were less likely to have
gynecological exams than bisexual and heterosexual women and to be tested for HIV than bisexual women. Bivariate tests
found significant associations between sexual orientation and each of the preventive screenings. The number of sexual partners
was a significant predictor for all screening tests with those having more partners screening more frequently.
Conclusions & Significance: Health center personnel should attend to the unique needs of each sexual minority group,
particularly bisexual women who appear to be at higher risk than lesbian or heterosexual women.
Biography
Dianne L Kerr is a Professor of health education and promotion in the School of Health Sciences at Kent State University with a specialization in HIV education and sexual
health. Her passion is advocating for the health of LGBTQ individuals. This began with work at the American School Health Association as AIDS Education Project Director
in some of the most critical years of the AIDS epidemic. She has conducted numerous workshops and presentations on LGBT bullying and transgender health. She is
currently a Provost’s Faculty Associate for diversity equity and inclusion working on policies to benefit LGBTQ students, faculty and staff at the university. She has over 60
publications and has conducted hundreds of presentations. She has won several state and national awards for her work with under-represented populations.
Dianne L Kerr
Kent State University, USA