Abstract

GABINI, Sebastián  and  CUENYA, Lucas. Self-care and sexual health care of heterosexual cis women and people with vulva who have sex with other people with vulva: A comparative study. Psicol. Conoc. Soc. [online]. 2024, vol.14, n.2, e1427.  Epub Dec 01, 2024. ISSN 1688-7026.  https://doi.org/10.26864/pcs.v14.n2.7.

The objective of the study was to establish comparisons between self-care practices and access to sexual health care in cis heterosexual women (CHW) and in people with vulva who have relationships with people with vulva (PVRPV). We worked with a convenience sample of 501 people (332 CHW and 169 PVRPV) residents of Rosario city, Argentina. An online survey consisting of 25 questions was applied to measure self-care (risk factors and protective factors) and access to sexual health care. The results indicated that PVRPV present a series of risk factors to be addressed, such as a greater number of non-exclusive sexual relationships, a higher percentage of sexual practices during menstruation and less use of condoms in coital practices. At the same time, there are certain barriers regarding access to sexual health such as discrimination and low perception of preparation among health staff, which could generate lower rates of gynecological check-ups. The latter, added to the difficult access to barrier methods for non-coital activities that are comfortable and practical, places PVRPV as a vulnerable group with regard to the prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), compared to CHW. The results and their implications for the design of public policies aimed at reducing inequalities regarding the sexual health of the population are discussed.

Keywords : Sexual health; person with vulva; self-care; access to health.

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