Lesbians and cisgender bisexual women in the Brazilian Midwest: Challenges in promoting sexual health care

Authors

  • Pablo Cardozo Roccon Instituto René Rachou (IRR), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz Minas) – Belo Horizonte (MG), Brasil. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva e Programa de PósGraduação em Política Social – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2696-5786
  • Murilo Kauê Leão Arruda Soares Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Instituto de Saúde Coletiva – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil.
  • Mariana Rosa Soares Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva e Programa de PósGraduação em Política Social – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0417-2614
  • Dominique da Silva Reis Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva e Programa de PósGraduação em Política Social – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil.
  • Bruna Andrade Irineu Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva e Programa de PósGraduação em Política Social – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Política Social – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1158-5000
  • Gislayne Cristina Figueiredo Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Política Social – Cuiabá (MT), Brasil.

Keywords:

Primary prevention, HIV infections, Sexual and gender minorities, Comprehensive health care

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the understanding of cisgender lesbian and bisexual women regarding the possibilities of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) transmission based on their sexual practices and their prior knowledge of the main prevention strategies. Fourteen (14) cisgender women (lesbian and bisexual) who had used health services in the municipality of Cuiabá, located in the state of Mato Grosso, were interviewed. The results reveal that the main prevention strategies reported included the use of plastic wrap and cut gloves, condoms for dildos, prostheses, or penile simulacra, finger cots, hand hygiene, non- -sharing of sexual objects, and avoiding injuries by trimming fingernails. Regarding sources of information on STI prevention and transmission, the main channels mentioned were internet websites such as YouTube and Twitter. It is concluded that the absence of prevention methods and information that treat sexual relations between women with dignity leaves them adrift, searching for solutions on their own through communication channels not regulated by health services, producing inequities in access to healthcare.

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Published

2026-07-27

How to Cite

1.
Roccon PC, Soares MKLA, Soares MR, Reis D da S, Irineu BA, Figueiredo GC. Lesbians and cisgender bisexual women in the Brazilian Midwest: Challenges in promoting sexual health care. Saúde Debate [Internet]. 2026 Jul. 27 [cited 2026 Aug. 24];50(150 jul-set). Available from: https://saudeemdebate.org.br/sed/article/view/11604

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 150 jul-set (2026): Saúde em Debate

Section

Original Article

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Saúde em Debate

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Data statement

  • The research data is contained in the manuscript

  • The research data cannot be made publicly available

    • Dados sensíveis que não permitem o compartilhamento.