Health care use among gay, lesbian and bisexual Canadians.
OBJECTIVE
This article examines whether consultations with health care providers, not having a regular doctor, unmet health care needs, and receipt of preventive screening tests vary by sexual identity for Canadians aged 18 to 59.


METHODS
Results are based on the Canadian Community Health Survey, combined 2003 and 2005 data.


METHODS
Cross-tabulations were used to compare utilization rates of selected health care providers by sexual identity. Multiple logistic regression models that controlled for predisposing, enabling and health need variables were employed to ascertain if sexual identity was independently associated with health care use, not having a regular doctor, unmet health care needs, and receipt of preventive screening tests.


RESULTS
Gay men, lesbians and bisexual people were more likely than heterosexuals to consult mental health service providers. Lesbians had lower rates of consulting family doctors and were less likely to have had a Pap test, compared with heterosexual women. Bisexuals reported more unmet health care needs than did their heterosexual counterparts.
Tjepkema
Michael
M
Health Information and Research Division at Statistics Canada in the Toronto Regional Office, 25 St. Clair Avenue E., Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M4. Michael.Tjepkema@statcan.ca
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data