Health of LGB People Attending Family Practitioners in London
Author Information
Author(s): King Michael, Nazareth Irwin
Primary Institution: University College London
Hypothesis
What are the health measures of family practice attendees classified as lesbian, gay, and bisexual compared to heterosexuals?
Conclusion
Bisexual and lesbian classified people attending London general practices were more likely to be smokers and gay classified men were at increased risk of psychological distress compared to heterosexual classified people.
Supporting Evidence
- Men classified as gay reported higher levels of psychological symptoms.
- Women classified as bisexual were more likely to misuse alcohol.
- Bisexual and lesbian classified people were more likely to be smokers.
- Gay classified men were more likely to report childhood sexual experiences.
Takeaway
This study found that people who identify as bisexual or lesbian are more likely to smoke, and gay men are more likely to feel sad or anxious compared to straight people.
Methodology
A cross-sectional, controlled study conducted in 13 London family practices comparing health measures of LGB attendees with heterosexual attendees.
Potential Biases
Differences in help-seeking behavior between men and women and between sexual orientations may affect generalizability.
Limitations
The sample of gay and bisexual people was comparatively small, and the study may not represent the general population due to the nature of recruitment.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 1065 women and 447 men aged 18 to 75, with a majority being white.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
OR 2.48 (1.05–5.90) for gay men reporting psychological symptoms; OR 2.73 (1.70–4.40) for bisexual women misusing alcohol.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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