HIV prevention for women who have sex with women

Key take-home messages

• Many lesbian women perceive that STI/HIV risk reduction behavior is primarily a concern for heterosexual women. This perception may lead to fewer and less frequent health screenings than heterosexual women.
• Although research suggests that women who exclusively have sex with women are at lower risk for STI and HIV infection, most WSW have had sex with men and many continue to do. This gap between sexual identity and sexual behavior may contribute to the risk for STI and HIV infection.
• WSW need sexual health information that reflects their sexual experience and realistically assesses their risk for STI and HIV infection.

• Population(s)
  • Women
  • General HIV- population
• Prevention
  • Sexual risk behaviour