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Sexual Orientation Differences in Pregnancy and Abortion Across the Lifecourse.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:We examined sexual orientation-related differences in various pregnancy outcomes (e.g., teen pregnancy, abortion) across the lifespan. METHODS:We collected data from 124,710 participants in three U.S. longitudinal cohort studies, the Nurses' Health Study 2 and 3 and Growing Up Today Study 1, followed from 1989 to 2017. Multivariate regression was used to calculate differences of each outcome-ever had pregnancy, teen pregnancy, ever had abortion, and age at first birth-by sexual orientation groups (e.g., heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian), adjusting for potential confounders of age and race/ethnicity. RESULTS:All sexual minority groups-except lesbians-were generally more likely than heterosexual peers to have a pregnancy, a teen pregnancy, and an abortion. For example, Growing Up Today Study 1 bisexual participants were three times as likely as heterosexuals to have had an abortion (risk ratio, 3.21; 95% confident interval, 1.94-5.34). Lesbian women in all of the cohorts were approximately half as likely to have a pregnancy compared with heterosexual women. Few sexual orientation group differences were detected in age at first birth. CONCLUSIONS:The increased risk of unintended pregnancy among sexual minority women likely reflects structural barriers to sexual and reproductive health services. It is critical that sex education programs become inclusive of sexual minority individuals and medical education train health care providers to care for this population. Health care providers should not make harmful heteronormative assumptions about pregnant patients and providers must learn to take sexual histories as well as offer contraceptive counseling to all patients who want to prevent a pregnancy regardless of sexual orientation.

SUBMITTER: Charlton BM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7071993 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar - Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Sexual Orientation Differences in Pregnancy and Abortion Across the Lifecourse.

Charlton Brittany M BM Everett Bethany G BG Light Alexis A Jones Rachel K RK Janiak Elizabeth E Gaskins Audrey J AJ Chavarro Jorge E JE Moseson Heidi H Sarda Vishnudas V Austin S Bryn SB

Women's health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health 20191204 2

<h4>Objectives</h4>We examined sexual orientation-related differences in various pregnancy outcomes (e.g., teen pregnancy, abortion) across the lifespan.<h4>Methods</h4>We collected data from 124,710 participants in three U.S. longitudinal cohort studies, the Nurses' Health Study 2 and 3 and Growing Up Today Study 1, followed from 1989 to 2017. Multivariate regression was used to calculate differences of each outcome-ever had pregnancy, teen pregnancy, ever had abortion, and age at first birth-b ...[more]

PMID: 31810786

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Project description:Background This study focuses on sexual orientation and gender-based differences among Israeli young adult substance use behaviors. In addition, it evaluates young adult perception of substance use and acceptance of substances use by close friends. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study. A self-reported anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of 496 young-adults (age: M?=?23.14, SD?=?2.48), which included 126 heterosexual males, 128 heterosexual females, 131 gay men, and 111 lesbians. Results This study revealed significant sexual orientation and gender differences in all outcomes examined. Significant substance usage differences were found for same-sex orientation as 52% reported cannabis use and 24% reported using other illegal substances during the past 12?months compared to 34 and 6% (respectively) among heterosexuals. Significant gender differences were found, as male participants reported 50% cannabis use and 19% reported other illegal substance use in the past 12?months compared to 35 and 11% (respectively) among females. Additionally, compared with heterosexuals, gay men and lesbians perceived/assessed significantly higher substance usage rates among their close friends and higher levels of substance use acceptance by close friends. Regression models indicated the important role of respondent perceived and acceptance of substance use among close friends. Binge drinking, cannabis use, and other illegal substance use were positively associated with participants’ perceived substance use and substance use acceptance level by close friends, after controlling for gender, sexual orientation, age, and level of education. Conclusions Close friends and community norms can play an important role in shaping substance usage among young adults, especially among gay men and lesbians. The results of the current study highlight the need for developing prevention and harm reduction drug policies for Israeli young adults, especially for gay men and lesbians. Interventions should also focus on young adult peers and community norms related to substance use by professionals in educational, policy-making, and therapeutic contexts.

Dataset Information

Sexual Orientation Differences in Pregnancy and Abortion Across the Lifecourse.

Publications

Sexual Orientation Differences in Pregnancy and Abortion Across the Lifecourse.

Similar Datasets

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