Poster Prize Winner, Riga 2017

The EGPRN Poster prize of May 2017 for the best Poster, as presented at the EGPRN conference in Riga (Latvia).

Beliefs and knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases in  women who have sex with other women
Sabine Bayen (born: Krohn),  Nathalie Deruytter
Dept. General Practice, University Lille 2, 59045, Lille, France. E-mail: kroehnchen@hotmail.fr

Background: In France, homosexual women do not feel concerned about prevention and screening of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). But this population is also at risk as with heterosexual women and should benefit  from the same prevention in primary care. The aim of this study was to identify their beliefs about STD in order to optimize their prevention.
Research question: What are your beliefs and knowledge about STDs among women who have sex with other women?
Method: A qualitative study by semi-structured face-to face interviews has been conducted to theoretical saturation. Adult women who have occasional or exclusively sex with other women were included. Transgender women were excluded. Verbatim transcripts were analysed with nvivo® software after data triangulation.
Results: Most women had heterosexual relations before. Protection means were globally known and used. Specific protection means for use between women were only discovered in lesbian association, but rarely used. They were considered to be restrictive. AIDS was the first cited STD. Knowledge of other STDs was limited or not known at all. Screening was often obtained in cases of pregnancy, hospitalization or in case of doubt about a former partner. In couples, the risk of STD was not discussed in the beginning of the relationship but only when it became serious and stable. Women were questioning themselves about their risk but did not dare to ask their doctor because they felt embarrassed. They criticise the lack of prevention messages from their general Practitioner and Gynaecologist due to the invisibility of their sexuality in prevention campaigns which talks more often to homosexual men.
Conclusions: Early information at school, more presence of homosexual women in public prevention campaigns and more prevention messages delivered by GPs could improve STD prevention.