Use of barrier protection for sexual activity among women who have sex with women

Abstract

Objective To assess the frequency and associations of barrier protection use during sexual activity in a population of women who have sex with women (WSW). Methods WSW were invited to participate in an international internet-based survey. Information regarding ethnodemographics, sexual health, and barrier use during sexual activities was collected. Results The study cohort comprised 1557 participants. Barrier use was least prevalent during digital genital stimulation (11.3% ever used barriers) and most prevalent during stimulation with a sex toy (34.4% ever used barriers). Univariate analysis revealed that women in non-monogamous relationships were more likely than monogamous women to always use barrier protection for sexual activity (14.3% vs 3.5%). On multivariate analysis, there was no association between barrier use and frequency of casual sexual activity or history of sexually transmitted infection. Small associations were noted between barrier use and certain sexual activities, age, race, and number of partners. Conclusion Many WSW do not use barrier protection during sexual activity, even in the context of potentially risky sexual behaviors. Safer-sex practices among WSW merit increased attention from healthcare providers and public health researchers.

Práticas sexuais e cuidados em saúde de mulheres que fazem sexo com mulheres: 2013-2014*

“…[21][22][23][24][25][26] A study published in 2013 analyzed the use of barrier methods by 1,557 WSW from several countries and more than 80% of them reported never having used barrier methods when having oral sex with women or men. 27 Similar to the findings of our study, there was low prevalence of barrier use during digital manipulation of the vagina Health care of women who have sex with women (11.3%) and with sex toys (34.4%), in sexual practices with both women and men. There is no consistent data about the vulnerability of WSW to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and, consequently, vulnerability to cervical cancer.…”

“…However, the choice of a larger convenience sample is justified, given the difficulties in accessing this female population, as reported by several studies carried out in other countries. 21,[25][26][27] This type of sample may also have limited access to older women, women with less schooling and those living in regions where internet access is difficult: in the Northern region, for example, there were more obstacles to contacting WSW, resulting in lower effectiveness of the 'snowball' mechanism and, as a consequence, a smaller number of study participants. However, the use of the internet enabled a high response proportion, coupled with a reduction in operational costs, given the dimensions of the country.…”

Sexual Health Care Services Among Young Adult Sexual Minority Women

“…This finding is worrisome, as elevated rates of some STIs have been documented among women who report higher numbers of female sexual partners (Evans, Scally, Wellard, & Wilson, 2007; Marrazzo, Stine, & Wald, 2003), and infrequent use of barrier methods during same-sex sexual activity is a risk factor for YSMW (Rowen et al, 2013). In general, as the number of sexual partners one has (regardless of partner sex) is associated with increased risk of HIV/STI infection, HPV infection, and cervical cancer (“HPV and Cancer,” 2015, “STDs and HIV – CDC Fact Sheet,” 2015), the strong association between number of sexual partners and sexual health services is reasonable.…”

Sexual Safety and Sexual Security among Young Black Women Who Have Sex with Women and Men

“…In fact, one participant specifically altered her contraceptive regimen according to the sex of her current partner, starting and stopping oral contraceptives as necessary. Despite evidence that STIs are transmitted between same-sex women partners (Marrazzo & Gorgos, 2012;Rowen et al, 2012), participants appeared to have little more than experiential knowledge about these risks.…”