Sexual Health Decision-Making and Service Utilisation among Kenyan Queer Womxn and Trans Men
type: CreativeWork
description: Background Queer women and trans men are a neglected populations regarding sexual health status, education, and service provision globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about their sexual health risk behaviour. In Kenya, the Penal Code criminalises consensual same-sex activity. Public sector health care and information aimed at queer womxn and trans men are lacking, leaving them underserved and at risk of negative sexual health outcomes and other health disparities. Therefore, research is needed to understand the unique sexual health and service needs of Kenyan queer women and trans men and the factors that shape them. Methods Data was collected through a mixed-methods approach in two phases with triangulated quantitative and qualitative elements. A survey based on the literature findings, conceptual models (socioecological model and minority stress model) and previously validated tools was distributed online to a purposive sample of 360 Kenyan queer women and trans men to establish demographics and identify sexual health needs, decision-making, knowledge, behaviour, and barriers to care. Interviews with queer women and trans men were conducted for an in-depth understanding of the factors, experiences, relationships, and health needs that influence decision-making and health-seeking. These were supplemented with interviews with other knowledge-rich stakeholders and expert informants to identify structural barriers as well as feasible solutions to address the gaps. Results The data provided in-depth insight into how Kenyan queer women and trans men's sexual health decision-making and service utilisation are informed. The survey sample represented young, urban, highly-educated queer womxn and trans men. The data identified gaps in all four areas that comprise the socioecological model – societal, community, relationship, personal. Risk behaviours included sexual activities with partners of multiple genders, violence, substance use …
abstract: Background Queer women and trans men are a neglected populations regarding sexual health status, education, and service provision globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Little is known about their sexual health risk behaviour. In Kenya, the Penal Code criminalises consensual same-sex activity. Public sector health care and information aimed at queer womxn and trans men are lacking, leaving them underserved and at risk of negative sexual health outcomes and other health disparities. Therefore, research is needed to understand the unique sexual health and service needs of Kenyan queer women and trans men and the factors that shape them. Methods Data was collected through a mixed-methods approach in two phases with triangulated quantitative and qualitative elements. A survey based on the literature findings, conceptual models (socioecological model and minority stress model) and previously validated tools was distributed online to a purposive sample of 360 Kenyan queer women and trans men to establish demographics and identify sexual health needs, decision-making, knowledge, behaviour, and barriers to care. Interviews with queer women and trans men were conducted for an in-depth understanding of the factors, experiences, relationships, and health needs that influence decision-making and health-seeking. These were supplemented with interviews with other knowledge-rich stakeholders and expert informants to identify structural barriers as well as feasible solutions to address the gaps. Results The data provided in-depth insight into how Kenyan queer women and trans men's sexual health decision-making and service utilisation are informed. The survey sample represented young, urban, highly-educated queer womxn and trans men. The data identified gaps in all four areas that comprise the socioecological model – societal, community, relationship, personal. Risk behaviours included sexual activities with partners of multiple genders, violence, substance use …
author: Haase, Stephanie
keywords: Public Health and Family Medicine
date published: 2022
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:22:43Z
provider: University of Cape Town
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Department of Public Health and Family Medicine

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/37213