Identification of Sexual Minority Youth in Pediatric Primary Care Settings Within a Large Integrated Healthcare System Using Electronic Health Records.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of sexual minority youth (SMY) within an integrated health care system using a standardized questionnaire. This study assessed SMY status in youth aged 12.5-18years using a previsit Well Check questionnaire at Kaiser Permanente Northern California facilities in 2016. SMY was defined as self-reported attraction to the same sex or both sexes. A total of 93,817 youth (87.3%) self-reported sexual attraction, and 5% (n= 5,329) of respondents (N = 107,532) identified as SMY: 1.7% were attracted to same sex, and 3.2% were attracted to both sexes. There were youth who responded neither (1.5%) and unsure (2.4%). Females were 2.8 times (95% confidence interval 2.6-2.94) more likely to be SMY than males. SMY status significantly increased with age. Nonwhite youth were significantly less likely to be SMY compared with white youth. This is the first study to examine SMY prevalence in pediatric primary care. Primary care providers can use previsit screening before preventive visits to identify and support sexual minority adolescents, facilitate family acceptance, and promote healthy behaviors with care coordination.