This study examined differences in rates of gynecological health care utilization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) women veterans relative to heterosexual women veterans.
Methods:
Women veterans (N = 1729) recruited via the Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense Identity Repository (14.3% LGB, n = 248) answered questionnaires related to gynecological health care utilization between September 2018 and June 2019. Binary logistic regression was used to examine differences in Pap smear receipt and gynecological care visits, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and sexual trauma exposure.
Results:
LGB women veterans were equally likely to receive Pap smears compared to heterosexual veterans (ps > 0.05). Gay or lesbian, but not bisexual, veterans were less likely to undergo routine gynecology visits relative to heterosexual women veterans (71% vs. 81%, p = 0.004).
Conclusion:
Given that annual gynecology visits are recommended for reproductive-aged women for preventive and interventional care, it is important to address factors that may contribute to underutilization among gay or lesbian women veterans.
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