Primary care physicians' knowledge, attitude and perception towards homosexuality in Singapore

Aims

This study aim to gain insights into attitudes, acceptance and knowledge levels among family physicians toward homosexual people, which are important as they may affect care among this at-risk group.

Methods

An anonymized self-administered questionnaire in English was posted with the assistance of the College of Family Physicians Singapore in February 2015 to its 1 529 members with self-addressed, pre-stamped envelopes for replies. The questionnaire included demographic questions such as age group, gender, religion, ethnicity, marital status and place of practice. Questions and scales that measured attitude, acceptance, knowledge and perception of colleagues who are homosexual were also included in the questionnaire.

Results

451 responses (29.5%) were obtained, of which 441 were valid (28.84%). About 52.8% of participants were found to have negative, 8.9% neutral and 38.3% positive attitudes toward homosexuality. Most (75.6%) were accepting of homosexuals, with 9.3% neutral and 15.1% not accepting. Knowledge levels were poor, with a mean score of 6.9 out of a maximum of 13. A strong correlation was found between the attitudes towards lesbians and gay men (ATLG) and acceptance of homosexuals scales (r = 0.69, P < 0.001), with moderate correlations between acceptance and knowledge (r = 0.54, P < 0.001) and ATLG and Knowledge (r = 0.54, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Despite majority of family physicians having negative attitudes towards homosexuality, most are able to accept homosexuality. With better education in sexual orientation in the medical educational curriculum, the increase in knowledge will lead to better care for people with homosexuality.