LGBTQ Community Needs and Assets Assessment of a Sexual Health Clinic: A Brief Report

Abstract

LGBTQ people face barriers to sexual health care that effectively meet their unique needs as a community, which can have deleterious effects on their sexual health. A community health needs and assets assessment was conducted of LGBTQ individuals in Southern California in order to direct the tailoring of services in a local sexual health organization to this community. Descriptive data from the needs assessment survey of 108 LGBTQ participants included participant demographics, sexual health concerns, service utilization and experiences, characteristics of ideal services and providers, as well as referral sources. The results indicate that LGBTQ respondents reported relatively high satisfaction levels and feelings of safety in care with the present sexual health organization. However, LGBTQ participants more commonly sought services from specialized clinics or private practitioners. The data suggest an opportunity to enhance sexual health care services in this organization that are LGBTQ affirmative, knowledgeable, and empathic, as well as to strengthen and sustain relationships with community partners.