Experiences of homosexual patients’ access to primary health care services in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

BackgroundHomosexual patients are affected by social factors in their environment, and as a result may not have easy access to existing health care services. Prejudice against homosexuality and homosexual patients remains a barrier to them seeking appropriate health care. The concern is that lesbians and gays might delay or avoid seeking health care when they need it because of past discrimination or perceived homophobia within the health care thereby putting their health at risk.Aim of the studyThe aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of homosexual patients utilising primary health care (PHC) services in Umlazi in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study was conducted which was contextual in nature. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants. The findings of this study were analysed using content analysis.ResultsTwo major themes emerged from the data analysis, namely, prejudice against homosexual patients by health care providers and other patients at the primary health care facilities, and, homophobic behaviour from primary health care personnel.ConclusionParticipants experienced prejudice and homophobic behaviour in the course of utilising PHC clinics in Umlazi, which created a barrier to their utilisation of health services located there. Nursing education institutions, in collaboration with the National Department of Health, should introduce homosexuality and anti-homophobia education programmes during the pre-service and in-service education period. Such programmes will help to familiarise health care providers with the health care needs of homosexual patients and may decrease homophobic attitudes.

Vários tons de “não”: relatos de profissionais da Atenção Básica na assistência de lésbicas, gays, bissexuais, travestis e transexuais (LGBTT)

“…Many lesbian women, for example, are afraid to reveal their sexual orientation during gynecological care and are not assisted in the health services 2 . When gays go to the health services and verbalize their sexual orientation, they suffer stigmas and prejudice deriving from the AIDS-homosexuality association 3 .Transvestites and transsexuals experience even greater discriminations in the access to the health services, either in the use of their social name or in the guarantee of the transsexualizing process 4 .…”

Are Nurses Homophobic? A Survey Study in Public Hospitals in Turkey

“…LGBTI people are still subject to discrimination, stigmatization, humiliation, verbal assault, and neglect by health professionals, all of which make them reluctant to disclose their sexual orientations to health professionals (Beycan Ekitli & Çam, 2017). Cele, Sibiya, and Sokhela (2015) studied the difficulties that LGBTI people encounter while receiving healthcare services and reported that LGBTI people complained about being judged by the way they dress, talk, and walk; being judged by their personalities; being rejected by other patients; and being given religious warnings and advice by health professionals. Studies conducted with nurses have reported attitudes such as refusing to care for LGBTI patients, abandoning and avoiding them, and regarding them as perverts or deviants (Beycan Ekitli & Çam, 2017; Hotun Şahin & Bilgiç, 2016).…”

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“…20,34,57 There is a pervasive societal argument that sexual and gender minority is un-African, thus silently punishing those who transgress this view and relegating them to the margins. 46,58…”