Abstract

Limited research on access and utilization of sexual health services by sexual minorities has disadvantaged improvements of health systems in terms of providing appropriate treatment and care. Studies demonstrate that LGBTQ persons are more likely to experience health inequities, and are seldom recognized in health research and interventions. Using qualitative methods, this study aimed to shed insights into the utilization of health care services among university LGBT students. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 LGBT university students aged 18–24 years in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The interviews reveal that LGBT youth are victims of stigmatization, prejudice, and marginalization within the health system. Health providers have limited training in addressing the concerns of the LGBT community. The Internet is an important source of health information for LGBT youth. Students preferred private health services, because they felt health providers are more informed about their health needs and concerns. The findings suggest the importance of incorporating the needs of LGBT youth within youth-friendly initiatives. Future research should investigate the incidence and prevalence of diseases among LGBTQ persons, and take into account the perceptions and attitudes of health providers to understand their views on the provision of sexual health care for LGBTQ youth.

摘要

在提供适当的治疗和护理方面，对性少数群体获取和利用性健康服务的研究有限，不利于改善卫生系统。研究表明，LGBTQ患者更容易出现健康不平等现象，并且很少在健康研究和干预措施中得到认可。本研究采用定性方法，旨在为LGBT大学生中的医疗保健服务利用提供见解。在南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省，对年龄在18-24岁之间的12名LGBT大学生进行了深度访谈。访谈显示，LGBT青年是卫生系统中受到污名化，偏见和边缘化的受害者。卫生服务提供者在解决LGBT社区关注方面的培训有限。互联网是LGBT青少年健康信息的重要来源。学生更喜欢私人医疗服务，因为他们认为医疗服务提供者对他们的医疗需求和关注更加了解。研究结果表明，将LGBT青年的需求纳入青年友好计划中的重要性。未来的研究应调查LGBTQ人群中疾病的发生率和流行程度，并考虑健康提供者的看法和态度，以了解他们对LGBTQ青年提供性保健的观点。