title: Perception of HIV and safer sexual behaviors among lesbians.
abstract: There is little data on female-to-female transmission of HIV. Some women who have sex with women (WSW) have other high-risk behaviors that could lead to HIV infection. The belief that WSW are at no risk may lead to unsafe sexual practices. In this study, a convenience sample of 78 women was surveyed in order to explore the perception of HIV risk among lesbians, their sexual behaviors, and their sources of information about safer sex. Fifty-three percent reported they were at low risk for contracting HIV. Women reported knowledge of barrier methods (89% to 99%) and no sex during menstruation (92%). However, 35% to 40% reported no knowledge of less common safer sex practices. Women reported their source of knowledge as media (36%), workshops (22%), and friends (12%). Eighty-five percent stated that their health care provider knew they were lesbian, but only 15% reported receiving safer sex education. Nurses and nurse practitioners are aptly poised to provide critical HIV education and health care for this population.
authors.affiliation: AIDS Program, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA.
authors.forename: Seja Joyce
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: Elizabeth H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D019111:Single-Use Internal Condom; D003237:Connecticut; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012736:Sex Education; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires