Use of media sources in seeking/receiving sexual health information during adolescence among adults of diverse sexual orientations in a US cohort

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to examine the association between sexual orientation and seeking/receiving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information from media sources during adolescence. We analysed data from male and female participants (aged 23–35 years) from the U.S.-based Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) in 2016. Sex-stratified, multivariable log-binomial models adjusted for age, cohort and race/ethnicity were used to examine sexual orientation differences in retrospective self-reported seeking/receipt of SRH media information before age 18. Sexual minority (e.g., mostly heterosexual, bisexual, gay) men and women were more likely than same-gender individuals who identified as completely heterosexual to seek/receive SRH information about contraceptive methods (e.g., condom use), sexually transmitted infections, and HIV and AIDS. Although lesbians were more likely than completely heterosexuals to seek/receive SRH information from media about each topic, they were the sexual minority subgroup with the smallest proportion seeking/receiving SRH information. Sexual minorities may passively and/or actively receive SRH information pertaining to a wide range of topics, including skills-based sex education, from media sources more frequently than heterosexuals, which may influence safe-sex decision-making. Lesbians in particular may benefit from media information dissemination focusing on their specific SRH needs, as current media sources do not seem to be well-utilised by this group.

KEYWORDS:

• sexual and gender minorities
• sexual health
• access to information
• information seeking behaviour
• mass media

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the US National Institutes of Health.

Supplementary material

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Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by U01 HL145386 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the US National Institutes of Health and grant F32HD100081 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, US National Institutes of Health. Ariella Tabaac was supported by the grant F32HD100081 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, US National Institutes of Health. Brittany Charlton was supported by the American Cancer Society [MRSG CPHPS 130006]. Bryn Austin was supported by grants R01HD057368 and R01HD066963 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, US National Institutes of Health, and by grants T71MC00009 and T76MC00001 from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Madina Agénor was supported by grant K01CA234226 from the National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health.