Correlates of a lifetime history of sexually transmitted infections among women who have sex with women in Toronto, Canada: results from a cross-sectional internet-based survey.
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: Structural drivers of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among women who have sex with women (WSW) have been underexplored. The study objective was to understand sociodemographic, individual, structural, and sexual health factors associated with a lifetime history of STI among WSW. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2012 to engage a peer-driven recruitment sample of WSW in Toronto, Canada. Data were collected among a convenience sample of 466 WSW using an online structured interview. RESULTS: Approximately one-fifth (n=89, 19.1%) of participants reported an STI diagnosis history. Participants identifying as bisexual were more likely, and lesbians less likely, to report an STI history than those identifying as queer. In multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusted for sociodemographic variables, STI history was associated with intrapersonal (STI knowledge, HIV/STI risk perceptions), interpersonal (male sex partners in past 3 months, number of lifetime sexual partners) and structural (sexual stigma, history of forced sex, belief healthcare provider (HCP) uncomfortable addressing sexual orientation) factors as well as sexual healthcare uptake (ever had STI/HIV test, STI/Pap test in past 2 years). Gender-non-conforming participants were less likely to report an STI history. CONCLUSIONS: This research is among the first to examine intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural factors correlated with an STI history among WSW. Findings highlight the importance of STI prevention strategies for WSW to be tailored to sexual identity, with particular attention to bisexual women's needs. Interventions should connect to sexual healthcare, address sexual stigma and train HCP to better meet the needs of WSW.
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Recent studies regarding STI rates among WSW and WSWM indicate that WSWM experience higher rates of STIs than WSW, with rates comparable with women who have sex with men (WSM) in all studies reviewed.
“Recent studies regarding STI rates among WSW and WSWM indicate that WSWM experience higher rates of STIs than WSW, with rates comparable with women who have sex with men (WSM) in all studies reviewed (279,285,286).”
From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [286]
The Discussion (page unavailable) reports higher self-reported STI rates among bisexual women than lesbians, supporting the direction of the WSWM–WSW comparison, though sexual identity is not identical to partner history. The Introduction (page unavailable) does not support rates comparable to women who have sex only with men in all studies reviewed: it says women with both male and female partners may be at higher risk than women with exclusively male or female partners. (LLM, conf=0.87)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredData indicate that C. trachomatis infection among WSW can occur.
“Data indicate that C. trachomatis infection among WSW can occur (275,286,308,309).”
From Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021 (2021) · cites this paper as [286]
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- Authors
- Logie, C. H., Navia, D., & Loutfy, M. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Toronto (CA)
- University of Calgary (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Logie, Carmen H
- Venue
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Publisher
- BMJ
- Published
- 2014-12-04
- Volume
- 91
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 278-283
- ISSN
- 0007-134X (ISSN-L)
- 1368-4973
- 1472-3263
- OpenAlex
- W2107975274
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3
- FWCI
- 2.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Sexually Transmitted Infections (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- TSpace (University of Toronto) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (97106_1)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
- Keywords
- women who have sex with women, bisexual women, lesbians, sexual stigma, HIV risk perception, sexual partners, sexual identity, STD prevention, Toronto
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Bisexuality, Chlamydia Infections, Condylomata Acuminata, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Herpes Genitalis, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Ontario, Peer Group, Sex Work, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Sampling Studies, Sexual Partners, Homosexuality, Female, Substance-Related Disorders, Internet
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