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

Version

Published

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Included in

Psychology Commons

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