Abstract

GARCIA, Cíntia de Lima; ALBUQUERQUE, Grayce Alencar; DREZETT, Jefferson  and  ADAMI, Fernando. Health of sexual minorities in north-eastern Brazil: representations, behaviours and obstacles. J. Hum. Growth Dev. [online]. 2016, vol.26, n.1, pp. 95-100. ISSN 0104-1282.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.110985.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify the social representations (SR) of health and major inequities, obstacles and challenges experienced by lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders regarding access to health services. METHODS: This qualitative research was conducted with a group of sexual minorities recruited using the snowball technique. The data were organised according to Bardin and analysed from the perspective of SR. RESULTS: Twelve gays, nine transvestites, six lesbians and three bisexuals participated. Most believed health to be the absence of disease and indicated the group's vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases. The search for health services was motivated by pathological symptoms or screening for sexually transmitted diseases. The difficulties were related to the deficiencies of the health service regarding prejudice. CONCLUSIONS: The study population showed reductionist health representations, sought health services under the curative perspective and faced challenges/obstacles when accessing health services.

Keywords : minority health; homosexuality; sexually transmitted diseases; health inequalities; prejudice.

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