Original articleWhy Girls Choose Not to Use Barriers to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infection During Female-to-Female Sex
Section snippets
Methods
LB girls, ages 14–18 years (see Table 1 for more descriptive information), were recruited primarily through Facebook using standardized protocols [26], [27], [28]. The 160 girls participated in asynchronous, online focus groups as part of a larger project. Online focus groups were chosen as a convenient way to interact with LB girls from all over the U.S. while protecting their identities [29]. The University of British Columbia's Behavioral Research Ethics Board and the Chesapeake
Results
Four main themes emerged as part of participant's reasons for why they would not use barriers. The themes, as discussed in greater detail below, concerned pleasure, risk linked to sex of partner, lack of knowledge of barriers, and STI testing as a prevention measure. Results also noted that once the topic of barriers was introduced in the focus groups, some participants did share reasons and scenarios in which they might use barriers, particularly among inexperienced girls.
Discussion
Despite the increased risk of STIs and adolescent pregnancy among LB girls [1], [2], [3], participants in this study had limited knowledge of their STI risk or interest in using barriers for protection. Some girls highlighted lack of access as key reasons why they did not use them. Consistent with other literature [32], [33], participants also had limited knowledge of the risk for STI transmission during female-to-female sex and limited knowledge of female specific barriers. Prevention programs
Limitations
Our results confirm the findings of similar studies with adult bisexual and lesbian women and offers further insight about an overall lack of knowledge and awareness among younger populations, but limitations exist. Although the online medium allowed us to interact with a large number of girls across the U.S., the asynchronous format made asking follow-up questions a challenge. The medium did not always encourage cross talk and conversation that may have helped the girls elaborate on their
Funding Sources
This work was supported by the Office of Adolescent Health, Award No. TP2AH000035.
References (42)
- et al.
Reproductive health screening disparities and sexual orientation in a cohort study of U.S. adolescent and young adult females
J Adolesc Health
(2011) - et al.
Sexual behaviors and partner characteristics by sexual identity among adolescent girls
J Adolesc Health
(2016) - et al.
Genital human papillomavirus infection in women who have sex with women: A review
Am J Obstet Gynecol
(2000) - et al.
Trends in ages at key reproductive transitions in the United States, 1951–2010
Women's Health Issues
(2014) - et al.
Sexuality and safer sex: The issues for lesbians and bisexual women
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs
(2001) - et al.
Nuances and shifts in lesbian women's constructions of STI and HIV vulnerability
Soc Sci Med
(2003) - et al.
Sexual orientation differences in teen pregnancy and hormonal contraceptive use: An examination across 2 generations
Am J Obstet Gynecol
(2013) - et al.
Sexual intercourse, abuse, and pregnancy among adolescent women: Does sexual orientation make a difference?
Fam Plann Perspect
(1999) - et al.
Dimensions of sexual orientation and HIV-related risk among adolescent females: Evidence from a statewide survey
Am J Public Health
(2008) - et al.
Unseen risks: HIV-related risk behaviors among ethnically diverse sexual minority adolescent females
AIDS Educ Prev
(2013)
Adolescent pregnancy among lesbian, gay and bisexual teens
Human papillomavirus DNA in fomites on objects used for the management of patients with genital human papillomavirus infections
Obstet Gynecol
Emerging sexual health issues among women who have sex with women
Curr Infect Dis Rep
Sexually transmitted infections in women who have sex with women
Sex Transm Infect
Female-to-female transmission of human immunodeficiency virus
Clin Infect Dis
Likely female-to-female sexual transmission of HIV, Texas, 2012
MMWR
Sexually transmitted infections among women who have sex with women
Clin Infect Dis
Barriers to infectious disease care among lesbians
Emerg Infect Dis
Bacterial STDs and perceived risk among sexual minority young adults
Perspect Sex Reprod Health
Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among a heterogeneous group of WSW(M)
Int J Sexual health
Lesbian and bisexual women's likelihood of becoming pregnant: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BJOG
Cited by (0)
Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflict of interest.