New Zealand National Lesbian Health Survey

Abstract

Objective: This New Zealand study set out to measure the self-assessed health status of a snowball sample of lesbians in New Zealand, focusing on how lesbians use health services and perceived barriers to accessing health care. Design: A questionnaire was modeled on a North Health Study (1) which included the SF-36 survey instrument (2). Setting: The Lesbian Health Questionnaire was distributed and collected for 6 months through a variety of sporting, newsletter, social, and cultural groups. Participants: A total of 2703 questionnaires were distributed and 791 were returned, a rate of 29%. The ages ranged from under 17 to 70 years old, with less Maori and Pacific Island lesbians than in the general population. Measurements: Percentages were calculated on the general questions and a standardized set of questions and calculated scoring was used to measure the self-assessed health of respondents. Results: There are difficulties in making valid comparisons between the random sample of women and a snowball sample of lesbians. The 791 lesbians who returned completed questionnaires used alternative health professionals more, had poorer overall health, had more injuries, and delayed seeking health care even from alternative health professionals. The study respondents were more overweight than the random sample of women and had less cervical checks. The lesbians over 50 had had more mammograms than the general population. Seventy-seven percent were out to their health professional and 5% reported a negative reaction to their declaration. In New Zealand-laws forbidding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation have been in place since 1993, yet 5 years later this study suggests lesbians may have poorer health, and their delaying consultation requires further study. Conclusion: This study supports overseas research showing that lesbians delay seeking health care and find barriers to health care that are different from a random sample of women.