The health behaviour of homosexual and heterosexual women in context of theory of salutogenesis

Abstract

Aim of the study: Comparison of the particular health behaviours and levels of sense of coherence between groups of women who have sex with women (WSW) and women who have sex only with men. Material and methods: The groups of 33 WSW and 31 women who have sex only with men were investigated. The health behaviours were studied with Inventory of Health Behaviours and the author's survey, physical activity the Polish version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the sense of coherence with SOC-29 scale. Probability of harmful or risky alcohol drinking was verified by the screening test CAGE (abbreviation from: Cut, Angry, Guilty, Empty). Results: Women who have sex exclusively with men scored higher than WSW in the positive mental attitude. WSW reported more frequent sexual contacts with strangers, admitted using more various psychoactive substances. WSW had lower rates of sense of comprehensibility and manageability and higher level of physical activity. Discussion: WSW and women who have sex only with men show many similarities in their health behaviour and sense of coherence. All the observed differences concern some aspects of less traditional and less healthy lifestyle and less positive mental attitude among WSW. It can be explained by a psychosocial situation and experienced minority stress in this population. Our observation coincides with the results of previous studies. Conclusions: WSW present characteristics which predispose to having more health problems, than women who have sexual contacts exclusively with men. We conclude that WSW should become receivers of special health prevention programs, adjusted to their specific needs.