Brittany M Charlton1, Heather L Corliss, Stacey A Missmer, A Lindsay Frazier, Margaret Rosario, Jessica A Kahn, S Bryn Austin. 1. Brittany M. Charlton is with the Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA. Heather L. Corliss and S. Bryn Austin are with the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Stacey A. Missmer, is with Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. A. Lindsay Frazier is with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Margaret Rosario is with the City University of New York, City College and Graduate Center, New York, NY. Jessica A. Kahn is with the Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Reproductive health screenings are a necessary part of quality health care. However, sexual minorities underutilize Papanicolaou (Pap) tests more than heterosexuals do, and the reasons are not known. Our objective was to examine if less hormonal contraceptive use or less positive health beliefs about Pap tests explain sexual orientation disparities in Pap test intention and utilization. METHODS: We used multivariable regression with prospective data gathered from 3821 females aged 18 to 25 years in the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). RESULTS: Among lesbians, less hormonal contraceptive use explained 8.6% of the disparities in Pap test intention and 36.1% of the disparities in Pap test utilization. Less positive health beliefs associated with Pap testing explained 19.1% of the disparities in Pap test intention. Together, less hormonal contraceptive use and less positive health beliefs explained 29.3% of the disparities in Pap test intention and 42.2% of the disparities in Pap test utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal contraceptive use and health beliefs, to a lesser extent, help to explain sexual orientation disparities in intention and receipt of a Pap test, especially among lesbians.
OBJECTIVES: Reproductive health screenings are a necessary part of quality health care. However, sexual minorities underutilize Papanicolaou (Pap) tests more than heterosexuals do, and the reasons are not known. Our objective was to examine if less hormonal contraceptive use or less positive health beliefs about Pap tests explain sexual orientation disparities in Pap test intention and utilization. METHODS: We used multivariable regression with prospective data gathered from 3821 females aged 18 to 25 years in the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS). RESULTS: Among lesbians, less hormonal contraceptive use explained 8.6% of the disparities in Pap test intention and 36.1% of the disparities in Pap test utilization. Less positive health beliefs associated with Pap testing explained 19.1% of the disparities in Pap test intention. Together, less hormonal contraceptive use and less positive health beliefs explained 29.3% of the disparities in Pap test intention and 42.2% of the disparities in Pap test utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal contraceptive use and health beliefs, to a lesser extent, help to explain sexual orientation disparities in intention and receipt of a Pap test, especially among lesbians.
Authors: Brittany M Charlton; Heather L Corliss; Stacey A Missmer; A Lindsay Frazier; Margaret Rosario; Jessica A Kahn; S Bryn Austin Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2011-06-08 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Brittany M Charlton; Jessica A Kahn; Vishnudas Sarda; Sabra L Katz-Wise; Donna Spiegelman; Stacey A Missmer; S Bryn Austin Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2019-01-11
Authors: Brittany M Charlton; Sari L Reisner; Madina Agénor; Allegra R Gordon; Vishnudas Sarda; S Bryn Austin Journal: LGBT Health Date: 2017-05-03 Impact factor: 4.151
Authors: Brittany M Charlton; Elizabeth Janiak; Audrey J Gaskins; Amy D DiVasta; Rachel K Jones; Stacey A Missmer; Jorge E Chavarro; Vishnudas Sarda; Margaret Rosario; S Bryn Austin Journal: Contraception Date: 2019-05-11 Impact factor: 3.375
Authors: Madelyne Z Greene; Salimah H Meghani; Marilyn S Sommers; Tonda L Hughes Journal: J Midwifery Womens Health Date: 2018-09-25 Impact factor: 2.388