Document Type
Article
Keywords
Adolescent · HIV · Sexually transmitted infections · Healthcare · Men who have sex with men · MSM · Prevention · Stigma · Mistrust · Discrimination · Physician · Patient–provider communication
Disciplines
Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Adolescent males who have sex with males (AMSM) are at increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Healthcare providers are a critical source of HIV/STI prevention, yet little is known about AMSM patient–provider sexual health communications and services. To explore this issue, we surveyed a national sample of 198 AMSM 14–17 years. Four online psychometrically validated scales indicated over half the youth avoided communicating their sexual orientation and sexual health concerns to providers due to fear of heterosexist bias, concern their sexual health information would be disclosed to parents, and a general belief that sexual minority youth do not receive equitable treatment in health care settings. Youth who reported their physicians had initiated discussion about their sexual orientation were significantly more likely to have received HIV/STI preventive services and testing. Discussion includes the importance of medical training that meets the unique sexual health needs of AMSM. Keywords Adolescent · HIV · Sexually transmitted infections · Healthcare · Men who have sex with men · MSM · Prevention · Stigma · Mistrust · Discrimination · Physician · Patient–provider communication.
Publication Title
AIDS and Behavior
Article Number
1442
Publication Date
3-15-2018
ISSN
1090-7165
DOI of Published Version
10.1007/s10461-018-2081
Publisher
Springer
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Fisher, Celia B.; Fried, Adam L.; Macapagal, Kathryn; and Mustanski, Brian, "Patient–Provider Communication Barriers and Facilitators to HIV and STI Preventive Services for Adolescent MSM" (2018). Psychology Faculty Publications. 322.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/psych_facultypubs/322
Version
Published
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
