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BACKGROUND: Sexual minority (SM) individuals (e.g., those with same-sex attractions/partners or who identify as lesbian/gay/bisexual) experience a host of physical and mental health disparities. However, little is known about sexual orientation-related disparities in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP; gestational hypertension [gHTN] and preeclampsia). OBJECTIVE: To estimate disparities in GDM, gHTN and preeclampsia by sexual orientation. METHODS: We used data from the Nurses' Health Study II-a cohort of nurses across the US enrolled in 1989 at 25-42 years of age-restricted to those with pregnancies ≥20 weeks gestation and non-missing sexual orientation data (63,518 participants; 146,079 pregnancies). Our primary outcomes were GDM, gHTN and preeclampsia, which participants reported for each of their pregnancies. Participants also reported their sexual orientation identity and same-sex attractions/partners. We compared the risk of each outcome in pregnancies among heterosexual participants with no same-sex experience (reference) to those among SM participants overall and within subgroups: (1) heterosexual with same-sex experience, (2) mostly heterosexual, (3) bisexual and (4) lesbian/gay participants. We used modified Poisson models to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), fit via weighted generalised estimating equations, to account for multiple pregnancies per person over time and informative cluster sizes. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of each outcome was ≤5%. Mostly heterosexual participants had a 31% higher risk of gHTN (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03, 1.66), and heterosexual participants with same-sex experience had a 31% higher risk of GDM (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.13, 1.50), compared to heterosexual participants with no same-sex experience. The magnitudes of the risk ratios were high among bisexual participants for gHTN and preeclampsia and among lesbian/gay participants for gHTN. CONCLUSIONS: Some SM groups may be disparately burdened by GDM and HDP. Elucidating modifiable mechanisms (e.g., structural barriers, discrimination) for reducing adverse pregnancy outcomes among SM populations is critical.
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INTRODUCTION: Cancer risk factors are more common among sexual minority populations (e.g., lesbian, bisexual) than their heterosexual peers, yet little is known about cancer incidence across sexual orientation groups. METHODS: The 1989-2017 data from the Nurses' Health Study II, a longitudinal cohort of female nurses across the United States, were analyzed (N = 101,543). Sexual orientation-related cancer disparities were quantified by comparing any cancer incidence among four sexual minority groups based on self-disclosure-(1) heterosexual with past same-sex attractions/partners/identity; (2) mostly heterosexual; (3) bisexual; and (4) lesbian women-to completely heterosexual women using age-adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) calculated by the Mantel-Haenszel method. Additionally, subanalyses at 21 cancer disease sites (e.g., breast, colon/rectum) were conducted. RESULTS: For all-cancer analyses, there were no statistically significant differences in cancer incidence at the 5% type I error cutoff among sexual minority groups when compared to completely heterosexual women; the aIRR was 1.17 (95% CI,0.99-1.38) among lesbian women and 0.80 (0.58-1.10) among bisexual women. For the site-specific analyses, incidences at multiple sites were significantly higher among lesbian women compared to completely heterosexual women: thyroid cancer (aIRR, 1.87 [1.03-3.41]), basal cell carcinoma (aIRR, 1.85 [1.09-3.14]), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aIRR, 2.13 [1.10-4.12]). CONCLUSION: Lesbian women may be disproportionately burdened by cancer relative to their heterosexual peers. Sexual minority populations must be explicitly included in cancer prevention efforts. Comprehensive and standardized sexual orientation data must be systematically collected so nuanced sexual orientation-related cancer disparities can be accurately assessed for both common and rare cancers.
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Purpose: We investigated sexual orientation disparities in several obstetric and perinatal outcomes in Louisiana and examined whether these disparities differed among Black, Latine, and White populations. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional vital records data on singleton live births in Louisiana (2016-2022). Same-sex relationships (SSR) vs. different-sex relationships (DSR) were classified based on the sex of the parents listed on the birth certificate. Using modified Poisson regression, we estimated adjusted risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals among birthing persons in SSR vs. DSR for preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), spontaneous labor, Cesarean delivery, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes. We examined within and across group disparities in models stratified by sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. Results: In the total birthing population, those in SSR experienced higher risk of gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes and were less likely to have spontaneous labor compared with persons in DSR. The risk of PTB and LBW was two-fold higher among Black birthing people in SSR compared with White birthing people in SSR and DSR. Latine birthing people in SSR experienced higher risk of gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes compared with their peers in DSR and White people in DSR. Some of these disparities were partially explained by including socioeconomic and health risk factors. Conclusion: Sexual orientation-related disparities exist across and within racial/ethnic groups among birthing people in Louisiana. Adopting an intersectional approach that considers the mutually constituted nature of heterosexism and racism is critical to addressing sexual orientation-related inequities in reproductive and perinatal health.
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STUDY QUESTION: Does medically assisted reproduction (MAR) use among cisgender women differ among those with same-sex partners or lesbian/bisexual identities compared to peers with different-sex partners or heterosexual identities? SUMMARY ANSWER: Women with same-sex partners or lesbian/bisexual identities are more likely to utilize any MAR but are no more likely to use ART (i.e. IVF, reciprocal IVF, embryo transfer, unspecified ART, ICSI, and gamete or zygote intrafallopian transfer) compared to non-ART MAR (i.e. IUI, ovulation induction, and intravaginal or intracervical insemination) than their different-sex partnered and completely heterosexual peers. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Sexual minority women (SMW) form families in myriad ways, including through fostering, adoption, genetic, and/or biological routes. Emerging evidence suggests this population increasingly wants to form genetic and/or biological families, yet little is known about their family formation processes and conception needs. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The Growing Up Today Study is a US-based prospective cohort (n = 27 805). Participants were 9-17 years of age at enrollment (1996 and 2004). Biennial follow-up is ongoing, with data collected through 2021. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Cisgender women who met the following criteria were included in this sample: endorsed ever being pregnant; attempted a pregnancy in 2019 or 2021; and endorsed either a male- or female-sex partner OR responded to questions regarding their sexual identity during their conception window. The main outcome was any MAR use including ART (i.e. procedures involving micromanipulation of gametes) and non-ART MAR (i.e. nonmanipulation of gametes). Secondary outcomes included specific MAR procedures, time to conception, and trends across time. We assessed differences in any MAR use using weighted modified Poisson generalized estimating equations. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Among 3519 participants, there were 6935 pregnancies/pregnancy attempts and 19.4% involved MAR. A total of 47 pregnancies or pregnancy attempts were among the same-sex partnered participants, while 91 were among bisexual participants and 37 among lesbian participants. Participants with same-sex, compared to different-sex partners were almost five times as likely to use MAR (risk ratio [95% CI]: 4.78 [4.06, 5.61]). Compared to completely heterosexual participants, there was greater MAR use among lesbian (4.00 [3.10, 5.16]) and bisexual (2.22 [1.60, 3.07]) participants compared to no MAR use; mostly heterosexual participants were also more likely to use ART (1.42 [1.11, 1.82]) compared to non-ART MAR. Among first pregnancies conceived using MAR, conception pathways differed by partnership and sexual identity groups; differences were largest for IUI, intravaginal insemination, and timed intercourse with ovulation induction. From 2002 to 2021, MAR use increased proportionally to total pregnancies/pregnancy attempts; ART use was increasingly common in later years among same-sex partnered and lesbian participants. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Our results are limited by the small number of SMW, the homogenous sample of mostly White, educated participants, the potential misclassification of MAR use when creating conception pathways unique to SMW, and the questionnaire's skip logic, which excluded certain participants from receiving MAR questions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Previous studies on SMW family formation have primarily focused on clinical outcomes from ART procedures and perinatal outcomes by conception method, and have been almost exclusively limited to European, clinical samples that relied on partnership data only. Despite the small sample of SMW within a nonrepresentative study, this is the first study to our knowledge to use a nonclinical sample of cisgender women from across the USA to elucidate family formation pathways by partnership as well as sexual identity, including pathways that may be unique to SMW. This was made possible by our innovative approach to MAR categorization within a large, prospective dataset that collected detailed sexual orientation data. Specifically, lesbian, bisexual, and same-sex partnered participants used both ART and non-ART MAR at similar frequencies compared to heterosexual and different-sex partnered participants. This may signal differential access to conception pathways owing to structural barriers, emerging conception trends as family formation among SMW has increased, and a need for conception support beyond specialized providers and fertility clinics. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), under award number R01MD015256. Additionally, KRSS is supported by NCI grant T32CA009001, AKH by the NCI T32CA057711, PC by the NHLBI T32HL098048, BM by the Stanford Maternal Child Health Research Institute Clinical Trainee Support Grant and the Diversity Fellowship from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Research Institute, BGE by NICHD R01HD091405, and SM by the Thomas O. Pyle Fellowship through the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and Harvard University, NHLBI T32HL098048, NIMH R01MH112384, and the William T. Grant Foundation grant number 187958. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. The first author recently had a leadership role in the not-for-profit program, The Lesbian Health Fund, a research fund focused on improving the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ women and girls. The fund did not have any role in this study and the author's relationship with the fund did not bias the findings of this manuscript. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.
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Técnicas Reproductivas Asistidas , Parejas Sexuales , Minorías Sexuales y de Género , Humanos , Femenino , Estudios Prospectivos , Minorías Sexuales y de Género/estadística & datos numéricos , Minorías Sexuales y de Género/psicología , Adulto , Parejas Sexuales/psicología , Embarazo , Masculino , Heterosexualidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Heterosexualidad/psicologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To determine the impact of abortion legislation on mental health during pregnancy and postpartum and assess whether pregnancy intention mediates associations. METHODS: We quantified associations between restrictive abortion laws and stress, depression symptoms during and after pregnancy, and depression diagnoses after pregnancy using longitudinal data from Nurses' Health Study 3 in 2010-2017 (4091 participants, 4988 pregnancies) using structural equation models with repeated measures, controlling for sociodemographics, prior depression, state economic and sociopolitical measures (unemployment rate, gender wage gap, Gini index, percentage of state legislatures who are women, Democratic governor). RESULTS: Restrictive abortion legislation was associated with unintended pregnancies (ß = 0.127, p = 0.02). These were, in turn, associated with increased risks of stress and depression symptoms during pregnancy (total indirect effects ß = 0.035, p = 0.03; ß = 0.029, p = 0.03, respectively, corresponding <1% increase in probability), but not after pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Abortion restrictions are associated with higher proportions of unintended pregnancies, which are associated with increased risks of stress and depression during pregnancy.
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Aborto Inducido , Aborto Espontáneo , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Aborto Inducido/psicología , Salud Mental , Periodo Posparto , Embarazo no PlaneadoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Although national medical organizations often neglect to include trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in their breast and cervical cancer screening recommendations, the World Profession Association of Transgender Health recommends that TGD people who are at risk for these cancers follow existing guidelines for cisgender women. Despite WPATH's recommendations, TGD people are less likely to get screened in large part due to discrimination. The COVID-19 pandemic has limited access to cancer screenings among cisgender people, but it is unknown how this has impacted TGD people. METHODS: Using national survey data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS), we examined differences in cervical and breast cancer screening noncompliance across gender identity at two time points: before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Screening noncompliance increased during the COVID-19 pandemic among cisgender and TGD people (e.g., transgender men, gender non-conforming people). Compared to cisgender women, transgender men and gender non-conforming respondents had higher odds of breast cancer screening noncompliance before and during COVID-19. Transgender men had lower odds of cervical cancer screening noncompliance than cisgender women before COVID-19, but higher odds during the pandemic. Gender non-conforming respondents also had lower odds of cervical cancer screening noncompliance during COVID-19 compared to cisgender women. CONCLUSIONS: Screening noncompliance for breast and cervical cancer was more common among TGD people than cisgender women; while these disparities existed before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were exacerbated during the pandemic. Future work should move beyond descriptive statistics and elucidate underlying causes to inform interventions.
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Sistema de Vigilancia de Factor de Riesgo Conductual , Neoplasias de la Mama , COVID-19 , Detección Precoz del Cáncer , Identidad de Género , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Detección Precoz del Cáncer/estadística & datos numéricos , Detección Precoz del Cáncer/psicología , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/epidemiología , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Mama/epidemiología , Neoplasias de la Mama/diagnóstico , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Personas Transgénero/estadística & datos numéricos , Personas Transgénero/psicología , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Anciano , Adulto Joven , SARS-CoV-2/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies have compared the mental health of gender minority and cisgender adolescents. AIMS: To compare reports of psychological distress, behavioural and emotional difficulties, self-harm and suicide attempts between gender minority and cisgender adolescents. METHOD: Data came from the Millennium Cohort Study (n = 10 247), a large nationally representative birth cohort in the UK. At a 17-year follow-up, we assessed gender identity, psychological distress (Kessler K6 scale), behavioural and emotional difficulties (parent and child reports on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), self-harm in the previous year, suicide attempts, substance use, and victimisation including harassment and physical and sexual assaults. Multivariable modified Poisson and linear regression models were used. Attenuation after the inclusion of victimisation and substance use was used to explore mediation. RESULTS: Of the 10 247 participants, 113 (1.1%) reported that they were a gender minority. Gender minority participants reported more psychological distress (coefficient 5.81, 95% CI 4.87-6.74), behavioural and emotional difficulties (child report: coefficient 5.60; 95% CI 4.54-6.67; parent/carer report: coefficient 2.60; 95% CI 1.47-3.73), self-harm including cutting or stabbing (relative risk (RR) 4.38; 95% CI 3.55-5.40), burning (RR 3.81; 95% CI 2.49-5.82), taking an overdose (RR 5.25; 95% CI 3.35-8.23) and suicide attempts (RR 3.42; 95% CI 2.45-4.78) than cisgender youth. These associations were partially explained by differences in exposure to victimisation. CONCLUSIONS: Gender minority adolescents experience a disproportionate burden of mental health problems. Policies are needed to reduce victimisation and services should be adapted to better support the mental health of gender minority adolescents.
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We investigated how gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity intersect to shape the social epidemiology of HPV vaccination initiation among U.S. college students. Cross-sectional survey data were from the National College Health Assessment (Fall, 2019-Spring, 2020; N = 65,047). We conducted an intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy by nesting participants within 36 social strata defined using gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity. Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models with random intercepts for social strata were fit for HPV vaccination initiation. Intersectional models adjusted for the additive main effects to isolate intersectional interactions, controlling for age and geographic region. Social strata that included cisgender men, transgender women, and non-binary assigned-male-at-birth individuals and strata that included racial/ethnic minorities had a significantly lower likelihood of HPV vaccination initiation relative to strata including cisgender women and non-Hispanic White individuals, respectively, while strata including lesbian/gay and bisexual/pansexual/queer individuals had a significantly higher likelihood of HPV vaccination initiation relative to strata including heterosexual individuals. We also observed substantial between-stratum inequities in the predicted prevalence of HPV vaccination initiation, with estimates ranging from 59.2% for heterosexual, racial/ethnic minority, cisgender men to 87.1% for bisexual/pansexual/queer, racial/ethnic minority, non-binary assigned-female-at-birth individuals. That being said, the majority of the observed between-stratum variance was driven by additive rather than intersectional interaction effects and the discriminatory accuracy of intersectional stratification with respect to predicting HPV vaccination initiation was low. Collectively, our findings point to a need for more universal guidelines and clinician recommendations that promote HPV vaccine uptake for all adolescents, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender identity, sex-assigned-at-birth, or sexual orientation; however, utilizing an intersectional lens will ensure that resulting public health interventions address inequities and center the needs and experiences of multiply marginalized adolescents.
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Alphapapillomavirus , Infecciones por Papillomavirus , Vacunas contra Papillomavirus , Adolescente , Teorema de Bayes , Estudios Transversales , Etnicidad , Femenino , Identidad de Género , Humanos , Masculino , Grupos Minoritarios , Análisis Multinivel , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/prevención & control , Vacunas contra Papillomavirus/uso terapéutico , Estudiantes , VacunaciónRESUMEN
Sexual minority men (e.g., gay, bisexual, queer) are more likely than heterosexual men to be involved in an adolescent pregnancy, but little research has been done on the context surrounding this disparity. To address this gap, and as part of the larger Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Pregnancy Experiences (SLOPE) Study, semi-structured interviews and descriptive surveys were conducted with 10 cisgender sexual minority men, ages 29-49, from across the United States. Interview transcripts were analyzed using immersion/crystallization and template organizing style methods, and themes were organized into a conceptual model describing sexual minority men's debut sexual activity and decision-making experiences during adolescence. This model depicts three themes: 1) partnership and negotiation of sexual experiences, 2) psychological processes related to development, pregnancy, and sexuality, and 3) cultural and environmental contexts. These three themes are contextualized by a throughline of transformative life events (i.e., the existence and chronology of life-impacting events). Findings indicate a complex interplay of psychological (e.g., developmental processes surrounding sexuality and sexual orientation), social (e.g., personal relationships), and policy-level factors (e.g., sex education) influence sexual minority men's sexuality and pregnancy prevention decision-making during adolescence. Care should be taken to consider and include sexual minority men in pregnancy prevention messaging and education.
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Embarazo en Adolescencia , Minorías Sexuales y de Género , Adolescente , Adulto , Bisexualidad/psicología , Femenino , Identidad de Género , Heterosexualidad/psicología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Embarazo , Embarazo en Adolescencia/prevención & control , Conducta Sexual/psicología , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Using data from the Fall 2015 through Spring 2018 National College Health Assessment, we examined receipt of pregnancy prevention information and unintended pregnancy by gender identity among participants aged 18-25years who were assigned female at birth (n=185658). Non-binary students were more likely than cisgender students to report wanting (adjusted risk ratio [ARR]: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.08-1.16), receiving (ARR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.13), and having an unmet need for (ARR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.19) pregnancy prevention information from their school. Transmasculine students did not significantly differ from cisgender students for these outcomes. Non-binary and transmasculine students were as likely as cisgender students to have a past-year unintended pregnancy. Non-binary and transmasculine young people are at risk for unintended pregnancy and need access to comprehensive sexual education, reproductive health counseling, and care.
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Identidad de Género , Embarazo no Planeado , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Embarazo , Conducta Sexual , Estudiantes/psicología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Trans masculine people are more likely than cisgender peers to have a teen or unintended pregnancy, though little is known about the origins of these disparities. AIMS: This study aimed to describe teen and unintended pregnancy experiences among trans masculine people in order to elucidate risk factors and pregnancy-related needs. METHODS: As a part of the United States-based SexuaL Orientation, Gender Identity, and Pregnancy Experiences (SLOPE) study, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted between March 2017 and August 2018 with 10 trans masculine people, ages 20-59 years, who experienced a teen or unintended pregnancy. Audio-recorded interviews were professionally transcribed, then analyzed using immersion/crystallization and thematic analysis approaches. The themes were contextualized using sociodemographic survey data. RESULTS: The four themes that were developed from participants' narratives highlighted: 1) how trans masculine people navigated having a pregnant body (e.g., heightened gender dysphoria due to being pregnant); 2) the importance of the cultural environment in shaping experiences as a trans masculine pregnant person (e.g., pregnancy and gender-related job discrimination); 3) the development of the pregnancy over time (e.g., decision-making processes); and 4) how pregnancy (and gender identity) affected relationships with other people (e.g., adverse family of origin experiences). DISCUSSION: This study identified a number of risk factors for teen and unintended pregnancies among trans masculine people including physical and sexual abuse as well as ineffective use of contraception. This research also identifies unique needs of this population, including: relieving gender dysphoria, combating discrimination, and ensuring people feel visible and welcome, particularly in reproductive healthcare spaces. Public health practitioners, healthcare providers, and support networks (e.g., chosen family) can be key sources of support. Attention to risk factors, unique needs, and sources of support will improve reproductive healthcare and pregnancy experiences for trans masculine people.
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STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe sexual behavior and contraceptive use among assigned female cisgender and gender minority college students (ie, those whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth). DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys administered as part of the fall 2015 through spring 2018 administrations of the National College Health Assessment. SETTING: Colleges across the United States. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 185,289 cisgender and gender minority assigned females aged 18-25 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recent vaginal intercourse; number and gender of sexual partners; use of contraception; use of protective barriers during vaginal intercourse. RESULTS: Both gender minority and cisgender students often reported having male sexual partners, but gender minority students were more likely to report having partners of another gender identity (eg, women, trans women). Gender minorities were less likely than cisgender students to report having vaginal intercourse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.86; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.80, 0.93). Gender minorities were less likely than cisgender students to report using any contraceptive methods (AOR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.03), and were less likely to consistently use barrier methods (AOR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.81) or emergency contraception (AOR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.65). However, gender minorities were more likely to use Tier 1 and Tier 3 contraceptive methods than cisgender women. CONCLUSIONS: Providers must be trained to meet the contraceptive counseling needs of cisgender and gender minority patients. Providers should explicitly ask all patients about the sex/gender of the patients' sexual partners and the sexual behaviors in which they engage, to assess sexual risk and healthcare needs.
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Conducta Anticonceptiva/estadística & datos numéricos , Conducta Sexual/estadística & datos numéricos , Personas Transgénero/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Identidad de Género , Humanos , Masculino , Estudiantes/psicología , Estudiantes/estadística & datos numéricos , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Both sexual minority and racial/ethnic minority women are at increased risk of unintended pregnancy compared to their heterosexual and non-Hispanic white peers, respectively. A recent study suggests the presence of negative interaction between sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, although it was not explicitly assessed. OBJECTIVES: To characterise the burden of unintended pregnancy across groups defined by intersecting sexual orientation and race/ethnicity and to explore for potential intersectional interaction between social identities. METHODS: We analysed cross-sectional survey data from the National College Health Assessment collected between Fall 2015 and Spring 2018. The relative risk (RR) of unintended pregnancy among college-attending women aged 18-25 was estimated using multivariable log-binomial regression (n = 177 592). We estimated multiplicative- and additive-scale (relative risk due to interaction, RERI) interaction between race/ethnicity and sexual orientation on the risk of unintended pregnancy; 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using 500 bootstrap replicates. RESULTS: Unintended pregnancy was rare across all intersecting identity groups (≤1.5%). Compared to heterosexual non-Hispanic white women, all groups of sexual minorities and/or racial/ethnic minorities had a higher risk of unintended pregnancy. This was consistent within strata of sexual orientation and race/ethnicity. We did not find strong evidence of additive-scale interaction between sexual orientation and race/ethnicity (RERI -0.19, 95% CI -0.67, 0.28), but we did find negative multiplicative-scale interaction (interaction RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59, 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: These findings illustrate that interactions, which are typically used to quantify intersectional effects, are scale-dependent. This has implications regarding how risk estimates for multiply marginalised groups are interpreted. More broadly, our findings suggest the need to move beyond multiple jeopardy approaches to quantitative intersectional research and consider the upstream factors that may uniquely shape the health status of groups at the nexus of particular social identities.
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Etnicidad , Minorías Sexuales y de Género , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Grupos Minoritarios , Embarazo , Embarazo no Planeado , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To examine contraceptive methods used by adolescent/young adult women of diverse sexual orientations. STUDY DESIGN: We collected data from 12,902 females, born 1982-1995, from the longitudinal Growing Up Today Study. RESULTS: Compared to heterosexuals, lesbians were half as likely to use contraceptives; other sexual minority subgroups (e.g., bisexuals) were more likely to use contraceptives, particularly long-acting reversible contraceptives. CONCLUSIONS: Many sexual minority women use contraception throughout adolescence/young adulthood, though use is low among lesbians. IMPLICATIONS: With limited contraception use, lesbians miss opportunities for care and need to be brought into the healthcare system in other ways.