Experiences of LGBTI Plus Individuals in Accessing Right to Health; A Survey Study from Turkey

Abstract

Background: In Turkey, LGBTI+s is experiencing discrimination in all areas of their lives. Objectives: We aimed to determine the problems experienced by LGBTI+s living in Turkey in accessing their right to health. Methods: An online questionnaire containing 37 open-ended and multiple-choice questions about respondent's demographic characteristics, experiences in accessing and receiving health services was prepared. Between October 2018 and December 2019, the survey was disseminated via social media platforms and sent to LGBTI+ friendly institutions. 81 people responded to the survey. Results: 43.2% had at least one chronic disease. Participants stated that 44.5% of them go to a health institution <3 times in a year. 91.4% of the participants declared that they never or rarely said their sexual identity/orientation at the health institutions, and 39.2% of them encountered negative behaviour when they did. 98.8% of the participants said that they think physicians do not have enough information about LGBTI+s. Conclusions: The knowledge and attitude of healthcare professionals are one of the essential determinants of LGBTI+s' use of their right to health. Alienating and homophobic behaviors against LGBTI+s is the biggest problem for LGBTI+s to receive quality health care in Turkey.