Dignity versus diagnosis: sexual orientation and gender identity differences in reports of one’s greatest concern about receiving a sexual health exam

Abstract

Timely sexual health exams are important healthcare behaviours that contribute to the early detection of cancer and health promotion. Sexual and gender minorities have been shown in past research to be significantly less likely to access healthcare services. Consequently, the current study included participants of diverse sexual and gender identities in order to gain greater insight into their concerns and potential reasons for avoiding healthcare services. The current study asked participants to describe their greatest concerns about visiting the doctor for a sexual health exam. Sexual and gender minorities were more likely to mention their identities as being central to their concerns about visiting the doctor. In contrast, the primary concerns mentioned by non-minority participants were related to their actual health, such as the potential diagnosis of cancer or STIs. The current study presents the self-reported reasons that individuals avoid visiting their doctors for sexual health exams as a function of sexual and gender identity. Through understanding how sexual and gender identity are related to the prevalence of specific concerns related to sexual health exams, it becomes possible to determine areas of improvement for increasing healthcare utilisation among marginalised populations. Implications for minority health and recommendations on improving healthcare support for sexual and gender minorities are discussed.