Abstract
Purpose: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth face risks for negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes; it is critical to provide these populations with health education that is both inclusive of and specific to their needs. We sought to characterize the strengths and weaknesses of SGM-related messages from web sites that address SRH for young people. We considered who is included, what topics are discussed, and how messages are framed. Methods: A systematic Google search and screening process was used to identify health promotion web sites with SRH content for adolescents and young adults. Using MAXQDA, we thematically coded and analyzed SGM content qualitatively. Results: Of 32 SRH web sites identified, 23 (71.9%) contained SGM content. Collectively, the sites included 318 unique SGM codes flagging this content. Approximately two-thirds of codes included messages that discussed SGM youth in aggregate (eg, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)—specific content about the diverse subpopulations within this umbrella term (eg, transgender youth) was more limited. In addition to SRH topics, most web sites had messages that addressed a broad array of other health issues including violence, mental health, and substance use (n = 17, 73.9%) and SGM-specific topics, for example coming out (n = 21, 91.3%). The former were often risk-framed, yet affirmational messages were common. Most web sites (n = 16; 69.6%) presented information for SGM youth both in stand-alone sections and integrated into broader content. Yet, integrated information was slightly more common (56.6% of all codes) than stand-alone content. Conclusions: Challenges of developing SRH content related to SGM youth include: (1) aggregate terms, which may not represent the nuances of sexual orientation and gender, (2) balancing risk versus affirmational messages, and (3) balancing stand-alone versus integrated content. However, SGM-related content also offers an opportunity to address diverse topics that can help meet the needs of these populations.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 393-401 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | American Journal of Health Promotion |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2020 |
Funding
Challenges of developing SRH content related to SGM youth include: (1) aggregate terms, which may not represent the nuances of sexual orientation and gender, (2) balancing risk versus affirmational messages, and (3) balancing stand-alone versus integrated content. However, SGM-related content also offers an opportunity to address diverse topics that can help meet the needs of these populations. sexual health reproductive health sexual and gender minorities health messages adolescents age specific specific populations health disparities Emory University Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education Emory University Professional Development Support edited-state corrected-proof typesetter ts3 Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Disclaimer The findings and conclusions in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Funding The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by Emory University Professional Development Support Funds and Letz Funds from Emory University's Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education. ORCID iD Jack Andrzejewski, MPH https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3109-9774
Keywords
- adolescents
- age specific
- health disparities
- health messages
- reproductive health
- sexual and gender minorities
- sexual health
- specific populations
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
