Out yonder: sexual-minority adolescents in rural communities in British Columbia.
OBJECTIVE
We compared sexual-minority adolescents living in rural communities with their peers in urban areas in British Columbia, exploring differences in emotional health, victimization experiences, sexual behaviors, and substance use.


METHODS
We analyzed a population-based sample of self-identified lesbian, gay, or bisexual respondents from the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey of 2003 (weighted n=6905). We tested rural-urban differences separately by gender with the chi2 test and logistic regressions.


RESULTS
We found many similarities and several differences. Rural sexual-minority adolescent boys were more likely than were their urban peers to report suicidal behaviors and pregnancy involvement. Rural sexual-minority adolescents, especially girls, were more likely to report various types of substance use. Rural status was associated with a lower risk of dating violence and higher risk of early sexual debut for sexual-minority girls and a higher risk of dating violence and lower risk of early sexual debut for sexual-minority boys.


CONCLUSIONS
Location should be a demographic consideration in monitoring the health of sexual-minority adolescents. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents in rural communities may need additional support and services as they navigate adolescence.
Poon
Colleen S
CS
The McCreary Centre Society, 3552 East Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, V5K 2A7 Canada. colleen@mcs.bc.ca
Saewyc
Elizabeth M
EM
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*