Discourse and Misconceptions About Sexually Transmitted Infections in Lesbian Subreddits: A Health Belief Model Analysis.

IF 3 3区医学 Q1 COMMUNICATION

Health Communication Pub Date : 2025-02-19 DOI:10.1080/10410236.2025.2464810

Yi Yin Leong, Yotam Ophir, Katherine Kountz, Dror Walter, Thomas Hugh Feeley

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Despite the increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among lesbians, sex education and health services are often heterosexual-focused, leading them to be misinformed about their personal risks. Considering the lack of adequate discussions in offline settings, online spaces allow stigmatized groups to connect, support, and share health information. This study examines how lesbians discuss STIs on Reddit through an analysis guided by the theoretical perspective of the health belief model. A total of 394 posts/comments containing STI-related keywords were observed across six subreddits: r/AskLesbians, r/actuallesbians, r/ActuallyLesbian, r/LesbianActually, r/latebloomerlesbians, and r/lesbian. Results show that users express low perceived susceptibility of STIs and suggest that protection is only necessary when penial intercourse is involved. Despite the belief that protection is effective at preventing STIs, dental dams are not often used due to their inconvenience and testing is an adequate replacement. Perceived barriers to engage in safer sexual practices further complicate users' sexual health decisions. We identify cases where the subreddits serve as cues for action as users actively encouraged others to use protection and get tested. Theoretical and practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

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女同性恋子版块关于性传播感染的话语与误解：健康信念模型分析。

尽管女同性恋者中的性传播感染有所增加，但性教育和保健服务往往以异性恋者为重点，导致他们对自己的个人风险有错误的认识。考虑到在线下环境中缺乏足够的讨论，在线空间允许受歧视的群体联系、支持和分享健康信息。本研究通过健康信念模型的理论视角分析女同性恋者在Reddit上讨论性传播感染的方式。共有394篇包含性传播疾病相关关键词的帖子/评论出现在6个子版块：r/AskLesbians， r/actuallesbians, r/actuallesbian, r/LesbianActually， r/latebloomerlesbians和r/lesbian。结果显示，使用者对性传播感染的易感性较低，表明只有在涉及阴茎性交时才有必要采取保护措施。尽管人们相信保护措施对预防性传播感染是有效的，但由于不方便，不经常使用牙坝，而检测是一种适当的替代方法。人们认为在从事更安全的性行为方面存在障碍，这使使用者的性健康决定进一步复杂化。我们发现，当用户积极鼓励他人使用保护措施并接受检测时，子reddit可以作为行动线索。讨论了今后研究的理论和实践意义及方向。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Health Communication Multiple-

CiteScore

8.20

自引率

10.30%

发文量

184

期刊介绍： As an outlet for scholarly intercourse between medical and social sciences, this noteworthy journal seeks to improve practical communication between caregivers and patients and between institutions and the public. Outstanding editorial board members and contributors from both medical and social science arenas collaborate to meet the challenges inherent in this goal. Although most inclusions are data-based, the journal also publishes pedagogical, methodological, theoretical, and applied articles using both quantitative or qualitative methods.